0648-0575 Supporting Statement A

0648-0575 Supporting Statement A.docx

Alaska Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Charter

OMB: 0648-0575

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 0648-0575 can be found here:

Document [docx]

Download: docx | pdf

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Alaska Region Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Charter

OMB Control No. 0648-0575

Abstract

This request is for extension and revision of an existing information collection, OMB Control No. 0648-0575, which currently contains reporting requirements for the Pacific halibut charter fishery off Alaska. In conjunction with this extension, the collection instruments approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0592 (Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Charter Permits) are being merged into this collection, after which OMB Control No. 0648-0592 will be discontinued.

The purpose of this merge is to reduce the number of separate information collections managed by the NMFS Alaska Region. The two collections contain collection instruments for the guided sport fishery for Pacific halibut (charter halibut fishery). As a result, 0648-0575 will now contain logbook reporting, landing reports, applications for permits and transfers, and administrative appeals for the charter halibut fishery. Consolidating these two charter halibut fishery information collections into a single information collection will also make it easier for affected individuals and entities to provide comment on the burden or recommendations for reducing it.

Justification

Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

Management of and regulations for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in Alaska are developed on the international, Federal, and state levels by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), the North Pacific Fishery Management (NPFMC or Council), National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region (NMFS), and the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). The IPHC and NMFS manage fishing for Pacific halibut through regulations established under authority of the Convention between the United States Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention), the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, 16 U.S.C. 773c (Halibut Act), and section 303(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).

Regulations for the charter halibut fishery off Alaska are determined annually by the Council and the IPHC. NMFS publishes these regulations each year as part of the IPHC annual management measures. Regulations are found at 50 CFR 300 subpart E and at 50 CFR 679.5(l)(7).

NMFS manages the charter halibut fishery off Alaska under the Charter Halibut Limited Access Program (CHLAP) and the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan. NMFS implemented the CHLAP in 2010 to meet allocation objectives in the charter halibut fishery and provide stability in this fishery by limiting the number of charter vessels that operate in IPHC regulatory areas 2C (Southeast Alaska; Area 2C) and 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska; Area 3A) (75 FR 554, January 5, 2010). The CHLAP established new Federal charter halibut permits (CHPs) for operators in the charter halibut fishery in Areas 2C and 3A.

Since February 1, 2011, all vessel operators in these areas with charter anglers catching and retaining halibut must have an original, valid CHP on board during every charter halibut vessel fishing trip. CHPs are endorsed for the appropriate regulatory area and, except for Military CHPs, the number of anglers catching and retaining halibut on a trip. To receive a CHP (other than a Military CHP or a Community CHP), an eligible applicant needed to apply during the application period, which ran from February 4 through April 5, 2010 (75 FR 1595, January 12, 2010). Eligible applicants may apply for Military or Community CHPs at any time.

In January 2014, NMFS implemented the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) for the commercial and charter halibut fisheries in Areas 2C and 3A to maintain stability, economic viability, and diversity of halibut user groups by addressing allocation conflicts between participants in the commercial and charter halibut fisheries (78 FR 75844, December 12, 2013). The CSP defines an annual process for allocating halibut between the commercial and charter halibut fisheries in Areas 2C and 3A. It establishes sector allocations that vary in proportion with levels of annual halibut abundance and that balance the needs of the charter and commercial halibut fisheries over a wide range of halibut abundance in each area. Under the CSP, the Council develops recommendations to the IPHC for charter angler harvest restrictions that are intended to limit harvest to the annual charter halibut fishery catch limit in each area. The CSP replaced the Guideline Harvest Level Program for the charter halibut fishery in Areas 2C and 3A that specified predetermined harvest targets that changed in relation to changes in Pacific halibut abundance.

The CSP includes the Guided Angler Fish (GAF) Program, which authorizes limited annual transfers of commercial halibut individual fishing quota (IFQ) as GAF to qualified CHP holders for harvest by charter vessel anglers in Areas 2C or 3A. GAF and GAF permits enable CHP holders to lease a limited amount of IFQ from commercial quota share holders to allow charter vessel anglers to harvest halibut in addition to, or instead of, the halibut harvested under the daily bag limit for charter anglers. GAF harvested in the charter halibut fishery is accounted for as commercial halibut IFQ harvest.

More information on the CHLAP and CSP is on the NMFS Alaska Region website and at 50 CFR 300.65 and 300.67.

This collection of information is necessary for NMFS to manage and administer the charter halibut fishery under the CHLAP and the CSP. A limited access program with catch share elements provides stability and increases net benefits from the fishery, but does require additional administration to ensure compliance. The regulations and uses for the instruments in this information collection are provided in the table in question #2 below.

Under the CHLAP, CHPs and Military CHPs are required at 50 CFR 300.67 for charter vessels operating in Areas 2C and 3A. As the application period and selection process for initial issuance of CHPs has ended, no new CHPs (other than Military CHPs and Community CHPs) will be issued, and CHPs may only be obtained through transfer. This information collection supports the annual registration of CHPs, transfer of CHPs, and applications for Military CHPs.

This information collection also supports transfers between commercial halibut IFQ and GAF, the issuance of GAF permits, appeals for disapproval of transfer between IFQ and GAF, and GAF reporting requirements. Under the CSP, regulations at 50 CFR 300.65 enable CHP holders to receive by transfer commercial halibut IFQ as GAF to provide charter vessel anglers an opportunity to harvest a number or size of halibut over and above the CSP restriction in place for Area 2C or 3A. Use of GAF and the associated GAF permit are voluntary, but the regulations require submittal and approval of a complete application for transfer in order to transfer between IFQ and GAF and for the CHP holder to receive a GAF permit. GAF harvested in the charter halibut fishery will be accounted for as commercial halibut IFQ harvest. The GAF reporting requirements in this collection of information allow GAF harvests to be tracked and properly debited from the appropriate IFQ accounts.

This information collection contains the logbook reporting requirements for the charter halibut fishery. The charter halibut sector in Area 2C and 3A is managed to charter catch limits established under the CSP. Charter operators are required to record all halibut caught and kept by charter vessel anglers in the ADF&G Saltwater Charter Logbook. Logbook reporting is the basis for estimating annual charter harvests of halibut relative to the charter catch limits.

Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

Information Requirements and Needs and Uses of Information Collected

Item #	Requirement	Statute	Regulation	Needs and Uses
1	Application for Annual Registration of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	16 U.S.C. 773	50 CFR 300.67(a)(4)	Used by CHP holders to register their transferrable and non-transferrable CHPs, except for military and community CHPs. Used by NMFS and the Council to obtain updated information on CHP-holder owner information, track CHP usage and latent capacity, decrease the number of invalid versions of CHPs used, help enforce the caps on CHP ownership, and provide better understanding of CHP use and leasing behavior.
2	Application for Transfer of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	16 U.S.C. 773	50 CFR 300.67(i)	Used by CHP holders to transfer a transferrable CHP to an individual or non-individual entity that meets the eligibility requirements. Used by NMFS to determine whether the transfer meets the regulatory requirements.
3	Application for Military Charter Halibut Permit	16 U.S.C. 773	50 CFR 300.67(l)	Used by a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Program of the U.S. Armed Services to apply for a Military CHP. Used by NMFS to determine the applicant’s authority to apply for a CHP on behalf of the MWR Program and the eligibility of the program to receive a Military CHP.
4	Application for Transfer (Lease) Between Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Guided Angler Fish (GAF)	16 U.S.C. 773 & 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.	50 CFR 300.65(c)(5)(ii) and (c)(5)(iii)	Used by CHP holders to transfer Area 2C or 3A commercial halibut IFQ for use as GAF or to return unused GAF to the IFQ permit holder from which it was obtained. Used by NMFS to determine the eligibility of the transfer to occur, to transfer GAF to the CHP holder or return unused GAF to the IFQ permit holder, and to issue a GAF permit.
5	Appeals	16 U.S.C. 773	50 CFR 300.65(c)(5)(ii)(B)(4)(iii), 300.67(a)(4)(iii), and 300.67(h)(6)	Used by a CHP holder who receives an Initial Administrative Determination to appeal an application denied by NMFS. Used by NMFS to assess information provided by the appellee in relation to a previous program application denial.
6	ADF&G Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook	16 U.S.C. 773	50 CFR 300.65	Used by the charter vessel operators to record all halibut caught and kept by charter vessel anglers. Used by NMFS as the basis for estimating annual charter harvests of halibut relative to the charter catch limits
7	Electronic and manual GAF landing report	16 U.S.C. 773 & 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.	50 CFR 300.65(d)(4)(iii)	Used by GAF permit holder to report GAF landings. Used by NMFS management and NMFS Office of Law Enforcement (NMFS OLE) to manage permit accounts, track GAF harvests, and monitor transfers between IFQ and GAF.
8	GAF permit log	16 U.S.C. 773 & 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.	50 CFR 300.65(d)(4)(iii)(E)(2)	Used by a GAF permit holder to record a GAF Report submission confirmation number and GAF fish information after a trip in which GAF halibut were retained. Used by NMFS management and NMFS OLE staff to cross reference electronic GAF report data and charter logbook data.

Respondents, Submission Method, Frequency of Collection, and Whether Information will be Shared

Item #	Requirement	From whom will the information be collected?	Form?¹^/	Submission Method²^/	How frequently will the information be collected?	Will the information be shared with any other organizations inside or outside the Department of Commerce or the government?⁹^/
1	Application for Annual Registration of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	CHP holders	Yes	Mail, delivery, fax	Annually	NPFMC, NMFS, and the public
2	Application for Transfer of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	CHP holders	Yes	mail or delivery³^/	As needed by the respondent	NPFMC, NMFS, and the public
3	Application for Military Charter Halibut Permit	Military morale, welfare, and recreation programs	Yes	mail, delivery, or fax⁴^/	Once	NMFS
4	Application for Transfer Between IFQ and GAF and issuance of GAF permit	CHP holders	Yes	mail, delivery, or fax⁴^/	As needed by the respondent	NMFS
5	Administrative Appeals	CHP holders	No	mail, delivery, or fax⁵^/	As needed by the respondent	NMFS National Appeals Office
6	ADF&G Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook	CHP holders	Yes	Mail⁶^/ or ADF&G electronic logbook	For a charter vessel fishing trip during which halibut were caught and retained on or after the first Monday in April and on or before December 31, must be submitted to ADF&G and postmarked or received no later than 14 calendar days after the Monday of the fishing week (as defined in 50 CFR 300.61) on January 1 through the first Sunday in April, must be submitted to ADF&G and postmarked or received no later than the second Monday in April.	ADFG shares the data with NMFS.
7	Electronic and manual GAF landing report	GAF permit holders	Yes	eFISH ⁷^/ or manual⁸^/	Must be submitted by 23:59 hours Alaska local time on the last calendar day of a charter vessel fishing trip.	NMFS
8	GAF permit log	GAF permit holders	Yes	Not submitted	Must be available for enforcement officers to review when they board a vessel.	NMFS

¹^/ Forms are available as fillable pdfs on the NMFS Alaska Region website.

²^/ Mail: NMFS Alaska Region, Restricted Access Management, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668

Delivery: 709 West 9^th Street, Room 713, Juneau, AK, 99801

Fax: (907) 586-7354

³^/ Electronic or fax submittal is not accepted because the application requires return of the original CHPs and notarized signatures of the transferor and the transferee.

⁴^/ Electronic submittal other than fax is not accepted because the application requires original signatures.

⁵^/ Mail or delivery: National Appeals Office, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Fax: (307) 713-2384.

⁶^/ Mail: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish – RTS, Logbook Program, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518-1565.

⁷^/ eFISH is the NMFS Alaska Region’s online Fisheries Information System.

⁸^/ If a GAF permit holder is unable to submit a GAF landings report due to hardware, software, or Internet failure for a period longer than the required reporting time, or a correction must be made to information already submitted, the GAF permit holder must contact NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, Juneau, AK, at 800-304-4846 (Select Option 1).

⁹^/ Some information from this collection is posted online. See Q15 for more information.

The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information will be subjected to quality control measures and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554 (the Information Quality Act), which requires NMFS to ensure the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information it publicly disseminates. Public dissemination of data collected by this information collection is governed by NOAA's information quality guidelines, which were issued on October 30, 2014.

It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support publicly disseminated information. CHP holders, GAF permit holders, CHP transfers, and GAF transfers are posted on the NMFS Alaska Region website. Personally identifiable information and confidential business information submitted in an administrative appeal are not released to the public. Final administrative appeal decisions with redactions are posted on the NMFS National Appeals Office website.

NMFS and the National Appeals Office will retain control over the information and safeguard it from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with NOAA standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy.

The following sections provide additional information on each element of the information collection.

1. Application for Annual Registration of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)

CHP holders in Areas 2C and 3A are required to annually register their CHPs. This requirement does not include holders of Military CHPs (described below) or Community CHPs (approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0665), but does include transferrable CHPs held by CQEs. The annual registration requirement was implemented in 2019 (84 FR 64023; November 20, 2019). Prior to this action, a CHP remained valid until amended, revoked, suspended, or superseded by a more recent version issued by NMFS.

The registration process provides a systematic way to update information on holders of transferrable CHPs, improve enforcement of CHP usage on the water, and facilitate the retirement of non-transferrable CHPs. Without this, there are limited tools available to ensure that only valid CHPs are being used in the fishery.

A CHP is valid only for the calendar year for which it is registered with NMFS. CHP holders may register their permits for the season any time after January 1 of that year.

There is no deadline for registration of a CHP; however, vessel operators in Areas 2C and 3A must have an original, valid CHP on board during every charter vessel fishing trip on which Pacific halibut are caught and retained. A halibut charter operator will need to ensure that a registered, valid CHP is in his or her possession before conducting a charter halibut fishing trip.

This application collects permit holder information, CHP identification, CHP ownership and affiliation information, and a question regarding whether financial compensation was received for allowing another person to use the CHP in the previous fishing year. A minor modification is being made to the financial compensation question to clarify that it refers to a lease-type arrangement.

A CHP holder submits a separate registration form for each CHP with a unique ownership structure. CHPs with the identical ownership and affiliation information may be registered on the same form. The current number of CHP holders is 552 (does not include military and community CHP holders) and NMFS expects that not all CHP holders will register their permits every year.

2. Application for Transfer of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)

The application period and initial issuance of CHPs ended in 2010 (other than for Military CHPs, see below, and Community CHPs, see OMB Control No. 0648-0665); therefore, a CHP may be obtained only through transfer. The CHPs were issued as either transferrable or non-transferrable, based on certain minimum participation criteria. Non-transferrable CHPs are invalid once the permit holder dies or the holding entity dissolves, or new shareholders or partners are added to the business.

The application form collects identification information of the CHP(s) to be transferred; transferor and transferee identification and contact information; transferee ownership and affiliation information; and transaction information. This application requires return of the original CHP(s) and notarized signatures of the transferor and the transferee or their authorized representatives.

This application is not used by holders of Military CHPs or Community CHPs. Military CHPs are non-transferrable, and transferors of Community CHPs use a separate application approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0665.

3. Application for Military Charter Halibut Permit

A Military CHP is available at no cost and is required for an MWR Program to operate a charter halibut vessel in Areas 2C and 3A. Military CHPs do not require annual registration and do not expire.

A Military CHP is non-transferable, issued without angler endorsements, and is valid only in the regulatory area designated on the permit. An MWR Program may hold multiple Military CHPs; however, NMFS reserves the right to limit the number of permits.

The information collected on this application includes the applicant’s name, business address, and branch of the U.S. military represented and the number of charter permits requested for each IPHC regulatory area. Additionally, official documentation must be attached showing the individual completing the application has the authority to apply for a Military CHP on behalf of the MWR Program.

Three entities hold Military CHPs: Eielson Air Force Base MWR Program, Seward Army Resort, and the U.S. Army MWR (Ft. Greely). NMFS has issued seven Military CHPs, but none have been issued since 2012. For purposes of this analysis, one response is used in the tables in Q12 and Q14.

4. Application for Transfer (Lease) Between Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Guided Angler Fish (GAF) and issuance of GAF permit

A CHP or Military CHP holder may voluntarily participate in the GAF Program, which allows transfer of commercial halibut IFQ for use as GAF by charter vessel anglers. On approval of the Application for Transfer Between IFQ and GAF, NMFS issues a GAF permit to the CHP holder receiving GAF. A GAF permit authorizes the CHP holder designated on that GAF permit to allow charter vessel anglers to retain halibut in excess of the effective CSP restriction, up to the limits on GAF use at § 300.65(c)(5)(iv).

CHP holders requesting GAF must specify the CHP to which the GAF permit will be linked. Each GAF permit is linked to only one CHP or Military CHP in Area 2C or Area 3A, and the link may not be changed during that year. NMFS will issue a revised GAF permit to the GAF permit holder each time during the year that it approves a transfer between IFQ and GAF for that GAF permit.

CQEs that hold Community CHPs are also eligible to receive IFQ as GAF. The application for transfer between IFQ and GAF by a CQE is approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0665.

GAF permits expire at 11:59 pm on the day prior to the automatic GAF return date. NMFS returns unused GAF to the IFQ permit from which it originated 15 days before the end of the commercial halibut fishing season for that year. GAF may not be retained by charter vessel anglers on or after this return date. No application is required for the automatic return of unused GAF.

GAF permit holders who wish to return unused GAF prior to the automatic GAF return date may use this application to transfer the GAF back to the IFQ permit holder from which it was obtained. Applications to return unused GAF are accepted only from August 1 through August 31.

NMFS will not approve an application to transfer IFQ to GAF before annual IFQ is issued for each year or after one month prior to the closing of the commercial halibut fishing season for that year. Applications to transfer IFQ to GAF will not be accepted during the one month prior to the automatic GAF return date to ensure that all GAF transactions are completed before the automatic return date.

Persons who submit an Application for Transfer Between IFQ and GAF will receive notification of NMFS’s decision to approve or disapprove the transfer.

NMFS issues GAF in numbers of fish, basing the conversion between annual IFQ and GAF on average weight of halibut landed in each region’s charter halibut fishery (Area 2C or 3A) during the previous year, as determined by the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The number of GAF requested is deducted from or added to the annual IFQ permit in round weight equivalent pounds.

The IFQ permit holder is responsible for all IFQ cost recovery fees resulting from the transferred GAF. No fees will be assessed for any unused GAF unless it is later harvested by the IFQ permit holder. IFQ cost recovery fees are authorized under OMB Control No. 0648-0711.

To report GAF landings, the GAF permit holder must submit a GAF landing report using eFISH, the NMFS-approved electronic reporting system on the NMFS Alaska Region website. The GAF landing report is authorized under OMB Control No. 0648-0575.

As the GAF program is voluntary, CHP holders can weigh their own costs and benefits of participating in the program.

The application collects transferor and transferee identification and contact information, IFQ and/or GAF permit information, and transaction information. Both the transferor and the transferee or their authorized representatives are required to sign this application.

Some GAF transfers are “self-transfers;” that is, the same person held both the IFQ and the CHP and transferred the IFQ to themselves. In 2019, eight percent of the total GAF transfers were self-transfers.

5. Administrative Appeals

If NMFS disapproves an Application for Transfer Between IFQ and GAF or an Application for Annual Registration of CHP, NMFS will provide the reason in writing by mail, posted on the date of that decision, and provide the applicant with a 30-day evidentiary period to correct deficiencies in the application. NMFS will send an Initial Administrative Determination (IAD) to the applicant following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if NMFS determines there is sufficient reason to deny the application. An applicant that receives an IAD may appeal the decision under the appeals procedures set out at 15 CFR part 906.

No appeals have been filed. For purposes of this analysis, one response is used in the tables in Q12 and Q14.

6. ADF&G Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook

Regulations at 50 CFR 300.65 require halibut charter vessels operating in IPHC Areas 2C and 3A to submit Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook (Charter Logbook) data sheets, see http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=prolicenses.forms). The Charter Logbook is the primary reporting requirement for operators in the charter fisheries for all species harvested in saltwater in IPHC Reporting Areas 2C and 3A. ADF&G compiles the Charter Logbook data to show where fishing occurs, the extent of participation, and the species and the numbers of fish caught and harvested by individual anglers. In recent years, the ADF&G added Charter Logbook reporting requirements to accommodate Federal halibut charter regulations.

Beginning in 2021, ADF&G is transitioning to an electronic logbook format. However, charter operators are encouraged to maintain a paper logbook on board in the event of technological failures compromising the electronic logbook. The information collected by each logbook format is the same.

The charter vessel guide is responsible for complying with the following recordkeeping and reporting requirements by the end of the calendar day or by the end of the charter vessel fishing trip, whichever comes first.

Use a separate data sheet for each calendar day that halibut are caught and retained during a multi-day trip.
Use a separate data sheet for each charter vessel fishing trip if two or more trips were taken on the same day.
Record each charter fishing trip on one data sheet, unless halibut are caught in both Area 2C and in Area 3A, in which case use an additional data sheet to record halibut caught in the second area.
Retain all data sheets showing halibut harvest for 2 years after the end of the fishing year for which the logbook was issued.
Make the data sheets available for inspection upon the request of an authorized officer.

The deadlines to submit the Charter Logbook data sheets are as follows:

For a charter vessel fishing trip during which halibut were caught and retained

on or after the first Monday in April and on or before December 31, data sheets must be submitted to the ADF&G and postmarked or received no later than 14 calendar days after the Monday of the fishing week (as defined in 50 CFR 300.61)
on January 1 through the first Sunday in April, data sheets must be submitted to the ADF&G and postmarked or received no later than the second Monday in April.

Each charter vessel angler who retains halibut caught in IPHC areas 2C or 3A must acknowledge that his or her name, license number (if required), and number of halibut retained are recorded correctly by signing the Charter Logbook data sheet on the line that corresponds to the angler's information.

Because the charter vessel guide must verify the signature of each charter vessel angler, the cost and burden of the angler signature are included in the guide burden and cost.

A complete Charter Logbook includes the date of fishing trip, guide license number, GAF permit number, Alaska sport fishing license numbers and names and signatures of clients, the catch of any halibut, any GAF halibut retained, and a signature certifying the accuracy of the entry.

If GAF halibut are caught and kept during a charter vessel fishing trip, the guide must record the GAF permit number on the logbook data sheet for that trip and have a copy of the GAF permit and GAF permit log on board the vessel during that trip. The GAF permit number in the logbook allows ADF&G and NMFS Office for Law Enforcement (OLE) staff to cross reference the GAF electronic reports and the GAF permits and logs.

7. Electronic and manual GAF landing report

A GAF permit holder, who is also the CHP holder, must obtain at his or her own expense the technology (computer and Internet connection) required to support the NMFS-approved electronic reporting system to report GAF halibut landings (eFISH). The GAF program is voluntary, and charter permit holders can weigh their own costs and benefits of participating in the program.

A GAF permit holder must use eFISH, the NMFS-approved electronic reporting system on the Alaska Region web site, to submit a GAF landing report. The GAF permit holder must enter information for each GAF halibut retained by an angler on a charter vessel fishing trip in Area 2C or 3A. The GAF electronic landing report collects number and length of GAF retained; vessel, guide license, and GAF permit numbers; and for community CHPs only, the community or port where charter vessel fishing trip began and ended.

GAF permit holders are required to report GAF landings in eFISH in a timely fashion in order to debit those landings from the IFQ holder’s account as soon as possible, and to flag any other potential problems. Electronic reporting alerts GAF permit holders of their account balance and alerts the GAF permit holder and NMFS Office of Law Enforcement (NMFS OLE) if the account has been overdrawn. Without electronic reporting, more GAF accounts would likely be overdrawn.

Upon submission of a daily electronic GAF landing report, eFISH issues a GAF report submission confirmation number which the GAF permit holder must record on the GAF permit log on the back of the GAF permit. This confirmation number allows cross reference of the Charter Logbook data and the electronic GAF report by management and NMFS OLE staff.

If a GAF permit holder is unable to submit a GAF landings report due to hardware, software, or Internet failure for a period longer than the required reporting time, or a correction must be made to information already submitted, the permit holder must contact NMFS OLE. NMFS estimates the manual GAF landing report at the same burden and cost as the electronic report.

Electronic GAF reporting is required:

1. For respondents to access current account balances for account management and regulatory compliance

2. For NMFS management:

• To monitor account transfers and GAF landings history.

• To manage permit accounts, conduct transfers, and assess fees.

3. For OLE:

• To monitor transfers between IFQ and GAF

• To monitor compliance with authorized GAF harvests and other program rules.

8. GAF permit log

Upon receipt of a GAF electronic landing report, eFISH issues a confirmation number for the GAF permit holder (respondent) to keep as evidence that NMFS received the GAF landing report and the GAF account was properly debited. A GAF permit log is printed on the back of each GAF permit. The GAF permit holder must record the confirmation number, the date the GAF was retained, and the length of the GAF on the GAF permit log after a trip in which GAF halibut were retained. This information must be available for enforcement officers to review when they board a vessel.

A GAF permit holder may have several GAF permits and GAF permit logs by the end of the season. The GAF permit holder is required to retain all GAF permits and GAF permit logs, along with their ADF&G saltwater logbooks, for two years for inspection upon request of an authorized enforcement officer.

Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also, describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

All of the applications are posted on the NMFS Alaska Region website as fillable pdfs for respondents to download, print, and mail or deliver to NMFS. All of the applications may be submitted electronically except for the Application for Transfer of CHP because it requires return of the original CHPs and notarized signatures of the transferors and the transferees or their authorized representatives.

The Application for Military CHP and the Application for Transfer between IFQ and GAF and Issuance of a GAF Permit may be submitted by fax. Electronic submittal other than fax is not accepted for these applications because they require original signatures.

The Application for Annual Registration of CHP may be submitted by fax. NMFS will be developing online submission of this application through eFISH. eFISH is NMFS Alaska Region’s online Fisheries Information System.

The GAF electronic landing report is submitted online to NMFS through eFISH. The GAF permit log is printed on the back of each respondent’s permit and is not submitted to NMFS.

In addition to providing a method to submit applications, eFISH provides online access to participants’ NMFS permit accounts. eFISH allows participants to check account balances, vessel balances, and landing ledger reports; quota share holdings reports, processor quota share holding reports from various fisheries; report landings; conduct quota transfers; renew certain fishery permits; and check a GAF permit balance. Permit holders access eFISH through a User ID and password issued by NMFS. Instructions for using eFISH are posted on the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/node/30749.

In 2021, ADF&G is transitioning to an electronic charter logbook for sport fish charter/guide operators. The electronic charter logbook (eLogBook) is a web-based application designed to work on most smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. ADF&G recommends that operators who choose to use eLogBook retain a paper logbook at all times to use in the event of technical difficulty or equipment failure.

Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Question 2

None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other collections. This information collection is part of a specialized and technical program that is not like any other. Federal regulations specify use of this information collection to administer the charter halibut fishery, and there are not alternate means or methods to perform the functions laid out in this supporting statement.

If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

This information collection impacts small entities but does not impose a significant effect on them. NMFS attempts to minimize the burden of this collection on all respondents.

Although NMFS requires annual registration of CHPs, the information requested in the registration application should be readily available to the CHP holder and does not require specific port, vessel, or user information that could unduly constrain charter operators in unpredictable circumstances.

Military CHPs and Community CHPs do not expire and are not required to be registered annually, which saves these permit holders the time burden and expense of registration. As Military CHPs and Community CHPs were issued to provide access opportunities for military personnel and economic benefits to small rural communities, an annual registration process that could result in limiting the use of these permits would be inconsistent with the purpose of these special permits. Additionally, Community CHPs have an existing annual reporting requirement.

CHP transfers and transfers between IFQ and GAF are voluntary and done only when the permit holder deems necessary.

A toll-free phone number is available for participants to contact NMFS Restricted Access Management staff for help or information.

The CHP applications and the application to transfer between IFQ and GAF are available online as fillable pdfs. The Military CHP application and the application to transfer between IFQ and GAF may be submitted by fax. The application for annual registration of a CHP may be submitted by fax.

eFISH may also be used to check a GAF permit balance, enter GAF landings, and report a GAF landing.

Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

This information collection is required to manage commercial and charter halibut fishing under the Halibut Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.), and under 50 CFR parts 300 and 679.

It would not be possible to effectively manage the CHLAP, the CSP, or carry out the mandates of the Halibut Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Act if this collection were not conducted or conducted less frequently. It provides the Council and NMFS with information about the organization and fishing activity of charter halibut businesses, and provides a process to track and limit the number of CHPs and to transfer halibut between the commercial and charter halibut sectors. This information and process are necessary to reduce overcrowding of productive halibut grounds and address allocation conflicts between commercial and charter halibut fisheries participants, while balancing the needs of all who depend on halibut for food, sport, or livelihood.

Management measures to limit charter harvests to their catch limits are established annually by the IPHC. The selection of the appropriate management measures is based in part on estimated harvest under the previous annual management measures, and estimates of future catch limits and charter angler effort. Charter angler harvest is estimated from the ADF&G Charter Logbook.

Without the ADF&G Charter Logbook, or a similar collection of information, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to estimate charter harvest with any level of confidence. Therefore, it would be unknown if modifications to the annual management measures were required to limit harvest to the charter catch allocation. This uncertainty could lead to conflicts between the charter and commercial sectors, if it were perceived that the commercial sector was being held to its catch limits under the CSP, but the charter sector was allowed to exceed their limits. Without reliable estimates of charter harvest, the goals of the CSP to maintain each sector’s catch to its limit under the CSP could be compromised and the sustainability of the fishery could be potentially threatened.

Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;
requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;
requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in- aid, or tax records for more than three years;
in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;
that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

No collections in this package require respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document.

No collections in this package require respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in- aid, or tax records for more than three years.

No collections in this package are in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study.

No collections in this package require the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB.

No collections in this package include a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use.

No collections in this package require respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information without instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

One collection in this package requires respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly. Under 50 CFR 300.65(d), Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook data sheets must be submitted to the ADF&G and postmarked or received no later than 14 calendar days after the Monday of the fishing week (as defined in 50 CFR 300.61) in which the halibut were caught and retained between the first Monday in April and on or before December 31. This information is required to monitor, manage, and develop management measures for the charter halibut fishery.

If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publications in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

A Federal Register Notice published on February 24, 2020 (85 FR 10413) solicited public comments. One comment was received. Additionally, NMFS Alaska Region contacted six charter halibut businesses to inform them of this opportunity to comment. Two responses were received which both expressed appreciation for being contacted, but did not provide information on burden or other recommendations applicable to PRA.

Comment: I have been sport fishing for halibut since the early 1980s in Cook Inlet. I believe this fishery is on the verge of collapse, and the reason is overfishing by commercial guides mostly out of Homer and the Deep Creek areas.

Please limit their fishing to two days per week.

Response: NMFS acknowledges this comment. The various elements of this information collection package are important tools to monitor the catch and effort of charter halibut guides to ensure that the charter sector in each area does not exceed its allocation and result in overfishing or other conservation concerns to the Pacific halibut resource.

Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

No payment or gift to respondents is provided under this program.

Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy. If the collection requires a systems of records notice (SORN) or privacy impact assessment (PIA), those should be cited and described here.

All information collections by NMFS Alaska Region are protected under confidentiality provisions of section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006 (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.) and under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.

The System of Records Notices (SORNs) that cover this information collection is COMMERCE/NOAA-6, Fishermen's Statistical Data and COMMERCE/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries. An amended Privacy Act SORN for COMMERCE/NOAA-19 was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2015 (80 FR 47457), and became effective September 15, 2015 (80 FR 55327).

The Privacy Impact Assessment that covers this information collection is NOAA NMFS Alaska Region Local Area Network (NOAA4700).

Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

This information collection does not involve information of a sensitive nature.

Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.
If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.
Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included under ‘Annual Cost to Federal Government’.

NOTE: The number of respondents is the actual number of individuals the collection is estimated to impact each year. For example, if an information collection will be valid for three years, and you expect 300 respondents the first year and none the second and third years, use the average of 100 respondents.

*Cite official source of hourly wage rate - The estimate of average burden per response is based on expert review of proposed questions. BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook - a good wage source. https://www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm

Information Collection	Type of Respondent (e.g., Occupational Title)	# of Respondents/year (a)	Annual # of Responses / Respondent (b)	Total # of Annual Responses (c) = (a) x (b)	Burden Hrs / Response (d)	Total Annual Burden Hrs (e) = (c) x (d)	Hourly Wage Rate¹^/ (for Type of Respondent) (f)	Total Annual Wage Burden Costs (g) = (e) x (f)
Application for Annual Registration of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	Fisherman	602²^/	1.7	1,000¹^/	15 min	250	$23.46	5,865
Application for Transfer of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	Fisherman	100²^/	1	50	2 hrs	100	$23.46	2,346
Application for Military Charter Halibut Permit	Military Personnel	1	1	1	0.5 hr	1	$22.48⁴^/	22
Application for Transfer (Lease) Between Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Guided Angler Fish (GAF) and issuance of GAF permit	Fisherman	666⁵^/	1	370	1.5 hrs	555	$23.46	13,020
Administrative Appeals	Fisherman	1	1	1	4 hrs	4	$23.46	94
ADF&G Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook	Fisherman	575⁶^/	Avg. 35 trips per CHP	37,310 (35 trips x 1,066 CHPs)	4 min	2,487	$23.46	58,345
Electronic and manual GAF landing report	Fisherman	69	12⁷^/	828	5 min	69	$23.46	1,619
GAF permit log	Fisherman	69	12⁷^/	828	2 min	28	$23.46	657
Totals				40,388		3,494		81,968

¹^/ Unless otherwise noted, the mean hourly wage is for Occupation Code 45-0000 (Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations), Sector 11 (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting). May 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics Research Estimates, Alaska.

²^/ The respondent and response estimates were determined as follows: The current number of CHP holders is 552 (not including military and community CHP holders). The estimated respondents consist of the 552 current holders plus 50 transfers expected to occur each year that would then need to be registered (552 + 50 = 602). This estimate is an annual maximum because NMFS expects that not all CHP holders would register their permits every year, and permits with identical ownership and affiliation may be registered on the same form. These 552 permit holders hold 955 CHPs (not including military and community CHPs) and when added to the expected 50 annual transfers that would need to be registered, equal roughly 1,000 CHPs, or 1,000 responses annually.

³^/The application is completed by two respondents, the transferor and the transferee.

⁴^/ Occupation Code 39-9032 (Recreation Workers), Sector 99 (Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding state and local schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service [OES Designation]). May 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics Research Estimates, Alaska.

⁵^/The respondent estimate was determined as follows: The application is completed by two respondents, the transferor and the transferee. Based on the estimated 370 responses, at most 740 respondents could be expected. To account for the expected self-transfers, the estimated number of respondents is reduced by 10% (370 responses X 2 = 740 – 74 = 666 respondents).

^6/ The number of respondents is assumed to equal the number of CHP holders. There are currently 575 CHP holders (552 regular, 3 military, and 20 community CHP holders) holding 1,066 CHP permits (955 regular, 7 military, and 104 community CHPs).

⁷^/ Average 12 trips per respondent and 1 response per trip.

Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet).

Information Collection	# of Respondents/year (a)	Annual # of Responses / Respondent (b)	Total # of Annual Responses (c) = (a) x (b)	Cost Burden / Respondent (h)¹^/	Total Annual Cost Burden (i) = (c) x (h)
Application for Annual Registration of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	602²^/	1.7	1,000²^/	Operating costs - $5	5,000
Application for Transfer of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	100³^/	1	50	Operating costs - $5 Notary - $10	1,500³^/
Application for Military Charter Halibut Permit	1	1	1	Operating costs - $5	5
Application for Transfer (Lease) Between Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Guided Angler Fish (GAF) and issuance of GAF permit	666⁴^/	1	370	Operating costs - $5	3,330⁴^/
Administrative Appeals	1	1	1	Operating costs - $5 Attorney - $500⁵^/	505
ADF&G Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook	575⁶^/	Avg. 35 trips per CHP	37,310 (35 trips x 1,066 CHPs)	Operating costs - $5	74,750⁷^/
Electronic and manual GAF landing report	69	12	828	0	0
GAF permit log	69	12	828	0	0
TOTALS	656⁸^/		40,388		85,090

¹^/Operating costs account for the typical inclusive general office services packages that include expenses for email, fax, copying, mailing, and printing.

³^/ The application is completed by two respondents, the transferor and the transferee.

⁴^/ The estimate of respondents and total annual cost is based on the following: The application is completed by two respondents, the transferor and the transferee. Based on the estimated 370 responses, at most 740 respondents could be expected. To account for the expected self-transfers, the estimated number of respondents is reduced by 10% (370 responses X 2 = 740 – 74 = 666 respondents). As each respondent is expected to have some operating costs in responding, the total annual cost is 666 respondents x $5 operating costs = $3,330.

⁵^/4 hours of attorney time at $125 per hour

⁶^/The number of respondents is assumed to equal the number of CHP holders. There are currently 575 CHP holders (552 regular, 3 military, and 20 community CHP holders) holding 1,066 CHP permits (955 regular, 7 military, and 104 community CHPs).

⁷^/The estimate of total annual cost burden was determined as follows: Logbook data must be submitted to ADF&G weekly between April and the end of the season. Although the season does not end until December 31, 99 percent of all charter fishing has been completed by the end of September each year. Therefore, we assumed that the season will run 26 weeks. As the permit holder may submit more than one data sheet (response) at a time, at most, a permit holder would submit responses 26 times. If all 575 permit holders submit their responses every week, during the season, the total cost would be 575 x 26 x $5 = $74,750. This estimate is high because it is unlikely that all permits will be used every week of the season. However, a permit holder with several permits could allow several businesses to use those permits, so the logbook sheets would be submitted separately.

⁸^/Unique respondents. Some participants in the CHLAP and CHP programs submit more than one instrument in this information collection. Therefore, the number of unique respondents is used to show the estimated number of separate participants who are expected to annually submit information during the renewal period for this information collection. The estimated number of unique respondents consists of 575 CHP holders, 1 MWR program, and about 80 IFQ permit holders.

Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

NMFS costs associated with data collection for the GAF program are recoverable through IFQ program cost recovery fees. NMFS does not track fees associated with GAF separate from other IFQ program fees. Under this cost recovery program, NMFS is authorized to collect direct program costs from the permit holders. Therefore, the information collection requirements of the GAF landing report, the GAF permit log, and the Application for Transfer Between IFQ and GAF and issuance of GAF permit do not impose a cost on the Federal Government.

Cost Descriptions	Grade/Step	Loaded Salary /Cost	% of Effort	Fringe (if Applicable)	Total Cost to Government
Federal Oversight	GS 8, Step 10	105,848	40		42,339
Other Federal Positions	GS 9, Step 3	95,926	50		47,963
	5X GS 10 Step 1	99,034	125		123,793
	3X GS 12, Step 5	147,806	75		110,855
	GS 12, Step 10	169,545	5		8,477
	1X GS 14 Step 10	238,230	25		59,558
Contractor Cost
Travel
Other Costs:
Mailing costs and supplies					1,386
Special permit paper					4,000
TOTAL					398,371

Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in ROCIS.

The respondents and responses have been adjusted to reflect the most current data. Additional reasons for adjustments are noted in the table.

Information Collection	Respondents		Responses		Burden Hours		Reason for change or adjustment
Information Collection	Current Renewal / Revision	Previous Renewal / Revision ¹^/	Current Renewal / Revision	Previous Renewal / Revision¹^/	Current Renewal / Revision	Previous Renewal / Revision¹^/	Reason for change or adjustment
Application for Annual Registration of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	602	0 (595)	1,000	0 (1,000)	250	0 (250)	Merged into -0575 from -0592.
Application for Transfer of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	100	0 (74)	50	0 (37)	100	0 (74)	Merged into -0575 from -0592.
Application for Military Charter Halibut Permit	1	0 (1)	1	0 (1)	1	0 (1)	Merged into -0575 from -0592.
Application for Transfer (Lease) Between Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Guided Angler Fish (GAF) and issuance of GAF permit	666	0 (160)	370	0 (320)	555	0 (480)	Merged into -0575 from -0592. Respondents: Adjusted to reflect the transferor and transferee are both respondents and to reflect that some transfers are self-transfers.
Administrative Appeals	1	0 (1)	1	0 (1)	4	0 (4)	Merged into -0575 from -0592.
ADF&G Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook	575	583	37,310	38,010	2,487	2,534	—
Electronic and manual GAF landing report	69	43	828	516	69	43	—
GAF permit log	69	43	828	516	28	17	—
Total for Collection	656²^/	583³^/	40,388	39,042	3,494	2,594
Difference	73		1,346 (+1,422 change) (-76 adjustment)		900 (+910 change) (-10 adjustment)

¹^/ If the number is in parentheses, it is from the previous revision of 0648-0592, and is not included in the previous total for 0648-0575.

²^/Unique respondents. Some participants in the CHLAP and CHP programs submit more than one instrument in this information collection. Therefore, the number of unique respondents is used to show the estimated number of separate participants who are expected to annually submit information during the renewal period for this information collection. The estimated number of unique respondents consists of 575 CHP holders, 1 MWR program, and about 80 IFQ permit holders.

³^/Unique respondents.

Information Collection	Labor Costs		Miscellaneous Costs		Reason for change or adjustment
Information Collection	Current	Previous¹^/	Current	Previous¹^/	Reason for change or adjustment
Application for Annual Registration of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	5,865	0 (5,960)	5,000	0 (1,300)	Merged into -0575 from -0592. Labor costs: Mean hourly wage rate decreased from 2018 rate. Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages.
Application for Transfer of Charter Halibut Permit (CHP)	2,346	0 (1,764)	1,500	0 (816)	Merged into -0575 from -0592. Labor costs: Mean hourly wage rate decreased from 2018 rate and increased number of responses Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages.
Application for Military Charter Halibut Permit	22	0 (25)	5	0 (1)	Merged into -0575 from -0592. Labor costs: Mean hourly wage rate decreased from 2018 rate. Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages.
Application for Transfer Between IFQ and GAF and issuance of GAF permit	13,020	0 (11,443)	3,330	0 (698)	Merged into -0575 from -0592. Labor costs: Mean hourly wage rate decreased from 2018 rate. Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages.
Administrative Appeals	94	0 (95)	505	0 (501)	Merged into -0575 from -0592. Labor costs: Mean hourly wage rate decreased from 2018 rate Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages.
ADF&G Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook	58,345	93,758	74,750	7,882	Labor costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages.
Electronic and manual GAF landing report	1,619	1,591	0	0	Labor costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate
GAF permit log	657	629	0	0	Labor costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate
Total for Collection	81,968	95,978	85,090	7,882
Difference	- 14,010 (+21,347 change) (-35,357 adjustment)		77,208 (+10,340 change) (+66,868 adjustment)

¹^/If the number is in parentheses, it is from the previous revision of 0648-0592, and is not included in the previous total for 0648-0575.

For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

Results of the information collection will be made available to the public through the Council and IPHC meeting processes. This information is typically available online at

http://www.npfmc.org/ and at http://www.iphc.int/.

Results of this information collection are available to the public on the NMFS Alaska Region website. Spreadsheets of CHP holders and GAF permit holders since 2018 are posted. Also posted are spreadsheets of CHP transfer data since 2012 that summarize transaction counts and prices, and spreadsheets of GAF transfer data since 2014 that summarize average price per pound and transaction counts and prices.

Final administrative appeal decisions with redactions are posted on the NMFS National Appeals Office website. Personally identifiable information and confidential business information submitted in an administrative appeal are not released to the public.

If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

The OMB control number and expiration date will not be displayed on the Charter Logbook because it is a document of the ADF&G. The OMB control number and expiration date will not be displayed on the GAF permit log because it is a printed form on the back of the GAF permit. The agency will display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection on all other instruments.

Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."

Certification Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions

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).

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item and explain the reason in Question 18 of the Supporting Statement.

If there are not exceptions to the certification statement, the following response would apply:

"The agency certifies compliance with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).”

The agency certifies compliance with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

Shape1

Page | 2

File Type	application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
File Title	DOC PRA TOOLS 2020
Subject	2020
Author	Dumas, Sheleen (Federal)
File Modified	0000-00-00
File Created	2021-01-13

0648-0575 Supporting Statement A