On January 24, 2020, NMFS published a
proposed rule in the Federal Register (85 FR 4250) to implement
provisions of three IATTC Resolutions and one AIDCP Resolution on
silky shark, data collection for fish aggregating devices (FADs),
and observer safety. The proposed rule contains additional
background information, including information on the IATTC, AIDCP,
and Convention Areas; the international obligations of the United
States as an IATTC member and Party to the AIDCP; and the need for
these regulations. The 30-day public comment period for the
proposed rule closed on February 24, 2020. The final rule is
implemented under the Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.)
and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.). This
final rule applies to U.S. commercial fishing vessels that fish for
tuna or tuna-like species in the IATTC Convention Area. The IATTC
Convention Area is defined as waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean
(EPO) within the area bounded by the west coast of the Americas and
by 50° N. latitude, 150° W. longitude, and 50° S. latitude. The
final rule implements provisions of Resolutions C-18-07 and A-18-03
to strengthen protections for observers in longline and
transshipment observer programs required by the IATTC and on purse
seine vessels required by the AIDCP.
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
There would be changes to U.S.
purse seine vessel owners and operators related to reporting on
FADs and observers. NMFS estimates the time needed for vessel
owners/operators to submit observer safety notifications to be 5
minutes per response. It is estimated that there will be 11
responses per year. Total estimated observer safety notifications
per year: 396 observed trips/yr x 0.028 observer reports/observed
trip = 11 Total estimated burden per year: 11 notifications per
year x 5 min/notification = 1 hour
$200,000
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Walter Ikehara 808
944-2275
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.