SUPPORTING STATEMENT
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Alaska Region Crab Permits
OMB Control No. 0648-0514
Abstract
This request is for extension of a current information collection
The king and Tanner crab fisheries in the exclusive economic zone of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands are managed under the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP). The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) prepared the FMP under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) as amended in 2006. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages the crab fisheries in the waters off the coast of Alaska under the FMP. Regulations implementing the FMP and all amendments to the Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program) appear at 50 CFR part 680.
The CR Program is a catch share program for nine Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) crab fisheries that allocated those resources among harvesters, processors, and coastal communities. Under the CR Program, NMFS originally issued quota share (QS) to eligible harvesters as determined for a fishery based on the landings made by their vessel in that fishery during a specific qualifying period. NMFS issued four types of QS: Catcher vessel owner (CVO) QS was assigned to holders of license limitation program (LLP) licenses who delivered their catch onshore or to stationary floating crab processors; catcher/processor vessel owner (CPO) QS was assigned to LLP holders that harvested and processed their catch at sea; captains and crew onboard catcher/processor vessels were issued catcher/processor crew (CPC) QS; and captains and crew onboard catcher vessels were issued catcher vessel crew (CVC) QS. CVC and CPC QS are also known as “crew shares” or “C shares.”
Under the CR Program, the amount of crab that can be harvested or processed by an entity is allocated before the fishing season begins. Each year, a person who holds QS may apply to receive an exclusive harvest privilege (individual fishing quota [IFQ] or individual processing quota [IPQ]) for a portion of the annual total allowable catch. For crab harvesters, IFQ is the pounds of crab that QS yields each year. For crab processors, IPQ is the pounds of crab that processor quota share (PQS) yields each year and is needed to receive any amount of crab harvested under a Class A IFQ permit. QS holders can apply to form cooperatives to pool the harvest of the IFQ on designated vessels. The QS holder or a hired master can fish IFQ, and IFQ may be assigned to a cooperative. Non-individuals holding QS must submit an affidavit on an annual basis, along with the Annual Application for Crab IFQ/IPQ Permit, to attest to whether an affiliation exists between a PQS or IPQ holder and the IFQ recipient.
The CR Program has provisions to ensure that communities that were historically active as processing ports continue to receive socioeconomic benefits from crab deliveries. To accomplish this, the CR Program imposes regional delivery requirements. However, in order to avoid constraining harvest in specific, unpredictable circumstances, the CR Program allows involved parties to apply for exemptions.
Justification
1. 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.
The CR Program allocated BSAI crab resources among harvesters, processors, and coastal communities. The Council developed the Program over a 6-year period to accommodate the specific dynamics and needs of the BSAI crab fisheries. The CR Program is a limited access system that balances the interests of stakeholders who depend on these fisheries. The CR Program addresses conservation and management issues associated with the previous derby fishery, reduces bycatch and associated discard mortality, and increases the safety of crab fishermen by ending the race for fish. The annual issuance of CR Program fishery allocations to achieve these goals necessitates this information collection, which is authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 680.
Summary information about the components in the Alaska Region Crab Permits collection |
|||||||
Information Collection |
Submitter |
Regulatory citation |
Purpose |
How Submitted?1 |
Form? |
How Frequently? |
Disseminated to the Public? |
Application for Annual Crab Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) permit |
QS holder |
680.4(d)(3) |
Issuance of IFQ permit. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
yes |
annually |
yes |
Application for Annual Crab Individual Processing Quota (IPQ) Permit |
PQS holder |
680.4(e)(3) |
Issuance of IPQ permit. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
yes |
annually |
yes |
Application for Annual Crab Harvesting Cooperative Individual Fishing Quota Permit |
QS holder |
680.21(b)(1) |
Issuance of Cooperative IFQ permit. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
yes |
annually |
yes |
Application for Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) Permit |
Vessel owner |
680.4(j) |
Issuance of RCR permit. |
mail, delivery, or fax; online–renewal only |
yes |
annually |
yes |
Application for BSAI Crab Hired Master (skipper) Permit |
IFQ holder |
680.4(h) |
Issuance of hired master permit. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
yes |
annually |
no |
Application for Federal Crab Vessel Permit (FCVP) |
All vessels participating in CR Program fisheries |
680.4(k) |
Issuance of FCVP. |
mail, delivery, or fax; online–renewal only |
yes |
annually |
yes |
Application for Transfer of Crab Quota Share (QS) |
QS holder |
680.41(b) |
Transfer of QS. |
mail or delivery |
yes |
as needed |
yes |
Application for Transfer of Crab Processor Quota Share (PQS) |
PQS holder |
680.41(b) and (d) |
Transfer of PQS. |
mail or delivery |
yes |
as needed |
no |
Application for Transfer (lease) of Crab IFQ |
IFQ holder |
680.41(e) |
Lease of crab IFQ. |
mail, delivery, fax, or online |
yes |
as needed |
no |
Application for Transfer of Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) between Crab Harvesting Cooperatives |
IFQ holder |
680.21(f) |
Transfer of IFQ between fishery cooperatives. |
mail, delivery, fax, or online |
yes |
as needed |
no |
Application for Transfer (Lease) of Crab IPQ |
IPQ holder |
680.41(h)(2) |
Transfer of IPQ. |
Mail, delivery, fax, or online |
yes |
as needed |
no |
Application for Converted CPO Quota Share (QS) and CPO IFQ |
Catcher/processor owner |
680.4(n) |
Conversion of QS and IFQ type. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
yes |
annually |
no |
Application for CR Program Eligibility to Receive QS/PQS or IFQ/IPQ by Transfer |
Persons seeking authority to receive QS/PQS/IFQ/IPQ by transfer under the CR Program |
680.41(c)(2) |
Establish transfer eligibility |
mail, delivery, or fax |
yes |
as needed |
no |
Application for Annual Exemption from Western Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab West Region Delivery Requirements |
QS/PQS holder or municipality |
680.4(o) |
Exempt regional delivery requirements under eligible circumstances. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
yes |
as needed |
yes |
Application for Exemption from CR Crab North or South Region Delivery Requirements |
IFQ/IPQ holder or community representative |
680.4(p)(4) |
Exempt regional delivery requirements under eligible circumstances. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
yes |
as needed |
yes |
North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report |
IFQ/IPQ holder or community representative |
680.4(p)(5) |
Report on the impacts of a regional delivery exemption. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
no |
as needed |
yes |
Voluntary Community Impact Report or IPQ Holder Report (N or S Response Report) |
Community entities and IPQ holders |
n/a |
Report on the impacts of a regional delivery exemption. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
no |
as needed |
yes |
CDQ Group Notification of Community Representative |
APICDA and CBSFA |
680.4(p)(2)(iii)(B)(2) |
To identify the community representative that signs the preseason application, the framework agreement, the inseason notice, and the exemption contract is the ECC entity, as defined at §680.2. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
no |
as needed |
no |
Application to Become an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
Non-profit organization |
680.41(j)(2) |
Apply to become an ECCO. |
mail or delivery |
yes |
one time only |
no |
Application for Transfer of Crab QS/IFQ to or from an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
Non-profit organization |
680.41(k)(2) |
Transfer QS or IFQ to or form an ECCO. |
mail or delivery |
yes |
as needed |
no |
Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) Annual Report |
ECCO representative |
680.5(f) |
Report ECCO annual activities. |
mail, delivery, or fax |
no |
annually |
no |
BSAI Crab Rationalization Program Quota Share (QS) Beneficiary Designation Form |
QS holder |
680.41(g) |
Designate a beneficiary for QS. |
mail or delivery |
yes |
as needed |
no |
File an Appeal to NMFS Decisions |
Persons wishing to fax an appeal of IAD issued by RAM |
680.4(p)(4)(ii)(G) 680.4(q) 680.21(b)(4) 680.21(c) 680.23(g)(1) 680.40(f)(8) 680.40(g)(3)(ii) 680.43(c). |
Appeal a decision made by NMFS. |
mail, delivery, or fax2 |
no |
as needed |
no |
1 Mail: NMFS Alaska Region, Restricted Access Management, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668
Delivery: 709 West 9th Street, Room 713, Juneau, AK, 99801
Fax: (907) 586-7354
Online: NMFS Alaska Region Fisheries Information System (eFISH).
2 Mail or delivery: National Appeals Office, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Fax: (307) 713-238
a. Application for Annual Crab Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) permit
NMFS issues annual crab IFQ permits to eligible persons who hold QS. IFQ permits are issued for a combination of fishery harvesting sector, region, and class and may bear multiple fisheries. An IFQ permit authorizes the holders to harvest a specific amount of a crab, under the terms and conditions set out on the permit.
An IFQ permit is valid only during the crab year for which it is issued. Because issuance of the correct amount and type of IFQ is entirely dependent on information provided by QS holders on their annual applications, an application must be received by NMFS no later than June 1.
A cooperative must submit the names of each cooperative member, and the cooperative members are responsible for submitting a signed application for an annual crab IFQ permit.
NMFS will issue an annual crab IFQ permit only if a person has applied by June 15 and paid any fees owed (including Capacity Reduction [Buyback] and Cost Recovery fees), if any, and if there are no other impediments to issuing the permits.
A complete application includes the applicant’s information, IFQ type, the cooperative agreement, a statement of fishery participation with evidence, QS ownership information, QS affiliation information, and the applicant’s signature.
b. Application for Annual Crab Individual Processing Quota (IPQ) Permit
NMFS issues annual IPQ permits to eligible persons who hold PQS. IPQ permits are issued for combinations of fishery, region, and Right of First Refusal (ROFR) community. An IPQ permit authorizes its holders to process a specific amount of a crab, under the terms and conditions set out on the permit.
An IPQ permit is valid only during the crab year for which it is issued. Because issuance of the correct amount and type of IPQ is entirely dependent on information provided by PQS holders on their annual applications, an application must be received by NMFS no later than June 15.
NMFS may issue annual permits for the CR Program only if a person has applied timely and paid any fees owed (including Capacity Reduction [Buyback] and Cost Recovery fees) (see OMB collection number 0648-0711), if any, and if there are no other impediments to issuing the permits.
A complete application includes applicant information, IPQ type, IPQ ownership information, the ROFR contract, and the applicant’s signature or authorization.
c. Application for Annual Crab Harvesting Cooperative Individual Fishing Quota Permit
A crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit is an annual permit issued to a crab harvesting cooperative. This permit establishes an annual catch limit of crab that is based on the collective QS holdings of the members who contributed to the crab harvesting cooperative. (See https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/akro/1920crab_coop_and_members.htm
for list of cooperatives)
A completed application for an annual crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit must be submitted annually by each crab harvesting cooperative and received by NMFS no later than June 15. Each member of the crab harvesting cooperative must be listed in Block B. Each member of the crab harvesting cooperative is responsible for submitting an Annual Crab Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Permit application to NMFS no later than June 15.
If a complete application is not received by NMFS by this date, or postmarked by this date, the crab harvesting cooperative will not receive IFQ for the upcoming crab fishing year. In the event that NMFS has not received a complete and timely application by June 15, NMFS will presume that the application was timely filed if the applicant can provide NMFS with proof of timely filing.
A complete application includes the cooperative’s information and membership information with supporting documentation.
d. Application for Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) Permit
NMFS requires an annual Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) permit for any person receiving CR crab or unprocessed crab from the harvester, the owner/operator of a vessel that processes crab at sea, any person holding IPQ, and any person required to submit a departure report. In addition, an RCR permit is required for each shore facility or stationary floating processor at which a person receives crab. Only one permit (and one application) is needed for an application with one or more catcher/processors.
A complete application includes the RCR type, applicant information, operational information, and the authorized representative’s information and signature. The applicant must also submit all required Economic Data Reports and pay all outstanding fee obligations before NMFS will issue a new, revised, or renewed permit.
e. Application for BSAI Crab Hired Master (skipper) Permit
Cooperatives and non-individual IFQ permit holders must hire a master to fish their IFQ. Individual persons may hire a master for owner permits but must fish crew permits themselves. Both Hired Masters and IFQ permit holders use a vessel on a given trip, and both may participate in the same landing. Hiring a master requires that the IFQ permit-holder maintains at least a 10 percent interest in the vessel to be fished by the Hired Master; in the case of a cooperative, that requirement may be satisfied by any member. Hired Masters are licensed by year and authorized to fish by IFQ permit, not by fishery.
This application is submitted annually by IFQ permit holders, including cooperatives, to authorize an IFQ Hired Master to fish their IFQ. It may also be used to delete such authorization. This permit authorizes the individual identified on the permit to harvest and land IFQ crab for debit against a specified crab IFQ permit. A separate form must be submitted for each vessel upon which the applicant’s IFQ permit(s) is to be fished by the hired master(s).
A complete application includes the purposes (addition or removal of a hired master, the permit holder applicant information, vessel information with documentation, information about the hired master, and the applicant’s signature.
f. Application for Federal Crab Vessel Permit (FCVP)
NMFS issues Federal Crab Vessel Permit (FCVP) annually for a crab fishing year (July 1 through June 30). All vessels participating in the CR crab fisheries must have a valid FCVP on board at all times. CR crab includes IFQ/IPQ fisheries; CDQ fisheries except Norton Sound king crab; and the golden king crab allocation to Adak. Operation type endorsements for the FCVP are: stationary floating processor; catcher/processor; and catcher vessel. If a change occurs in the permit information, the FCVP holder must submit an amended FCVP application within 10 days of the date of change.
A person issued an FCVP must use the Vessel Monitoring System (OMB 0648-0445) and logbook reporting (OMB 0648-0213 or -0515). In addition, a crab Economic Data Report (OMB 0648-0518) is required from any owner or leaseholder of a vessel or processing plant that harvested or processed crab in specified CR Program crab fisheries during the prior calendar year.
For the FCVP to be issued, all fees required by NMFS must be paid. All CR allocation holders and RCR permit holders are subject to a fee liability for any CR crab debited from a CR allocation during a crab fishing year, except for crab designated as personal use or deadloss, or crab confiscated by NMFS or the State of Alaska.
A complete application includes the request type, vessel information, vessel owner information with documentation, the designated representative for the Economic Data Report, and certification by the applicant or authorized representative.
g. Application for Transfer of Crab Quota Share (QS)
The CR Program allows for transfer of all or part of a person’s QS to persons qualified to receive QS by transfer. This application to transfer QS will not be processed between June 15 of any year and the date of issuance of the IFQ in the CR Program fisheries.
This application will not be processed or approved unless it is complete. In addition to providing the information required in the application, a copy of the terms and conditions of the transfer agreement must be attached. Such documentation may consist of a bill of sale, promissory note, or other document(s) that reveal the contractual terms between the parties.
An application for transfer of QS may be submitted to NMFS only by mail or courier because the application requires an original signature and notary. A complete application includes the type of QS transfer, transferor information, transferee information, transferee eligibility, the reason for transfer, how the QS was located by the transferee, certifications by the transferor and transferee, and any attached documentation.
h. Application for Transfer of Crab Processor Quota Share (PQS)
The CR Program allows for transfer of all or part of a person’s PQS to persons qualified to receive PQS by transfer. Transfers may occur anytime except from June 15 until IPQ is issued for a fishery. This application to transfer PQS will not be processed between June 15 of any year and the date of issuance of the IPQ in the CR Program fisheries.
If requesting transfer of PQS for use outside an eligible crab community that has designated an entity to represent it in exercise of ROFR under § 680.41(l), the Regional Administrator will not act upon the application for a period of 10 days. At the end of that time period, the application will be approved pending meeting the criteria set forth in § 680.41(i).
An application for transfer of PQS may be submitted to NMFS only by mail or courier because the application requires an original signature and notary. This application will not be processed or approved unless it is complete. A complete application indicates the type of transfer, transferor information, transferee information, QS to be transferred with costs, terms and conditions, transaction survey questions for the transferor and transferee, certifications from the transferor and transferee, and any attached supporting documentation (bill of sale, promissory note, or other document(s) that reveal the contractual terms between the parties).
i. Application for Transfer (lease) of Crab IFQ
A crab IFQ permit holder may transfer all or part of his or her IFQ to another crab IFQ permit holder. The lease of crab IFQ from one individual to another for the current crab fishing year currently is authorized only for Catcher Vessel Crew and/or Catcher/Processor Crew due to a hardship. In addition, applications to transfer (lease) annual IFQ will not be processed between June 1 of any year and the date of issuance of the IFQ in a CR Program.
A complete application includes the transfer type, transferor and transferee information, the QS being transferred, and the certifications of the transferor and transferee.
j. Application for Transfer of Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) between Crab Harvesting Cooperatives
A crab harvesting cooperative is formed for the purpose of applying for and fishing under a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit and is permitted to transfer its IFQ only to another crab harvesting cooperative. Once a cooperative has an IFQ permit, the members of that cooperative cannot transfer away IFQ, because they hold no IFQ of their own. When a QS holder joins a cooperative, all of his or her QS are converted to cooperative IFQ that is held in common by the cooperative. Only the cooperative may transfer cooperative IFQ following the requirements for the transfer of cooperative IFQ. A person who joins a crab-harvesting cooperative assigns his or her IFQ to the cooperative at the beginning of the crab-fishing year. In this case, all IFQ pounds appear on the annual IFQ permit issued to the cooperative.
A complete application includes transferor information, transferee information, signatures, identification of the transferred IFQ, and identification of the cooperative’s member(s).
k. Application for Transfer (Lease) of Crab IPQ
This application may be used by a crab IPQ permit holder to apply for a transfer of all or part of its IPQ to another crab IPQ permit holder for the current crab fishing year.
This application cannot be processed or approved unless both parties to the proposed transfer have met all the requirements and conditions of the CR Program, including payment of all outstanding fees to NMFS on or before July 31. NMFS will notify the transferor and transferee once the application has been received and approved. A transfer of IPQ is not effective until approved by NMFS. A PQS holder must also notify the ROFR holder of the location where the IPQ are processed.
This application will not be processed between June 15 of any year and the date of issuance of the IPQ in a CR Program fishery. A complete application includes the type of transfer, transferor and transferee information, identification of the IPQ to be transferred, and certification of the transferor and transferee
l. Application for Converted CPO Quota Share (QS) and CPO IFQ
NMFS created CPO QS for the snow crab and Bristol Bay red king crab fisheries, because these were the only fisheries for which the eligible entities were initially issued North PQS and North CVO QS.
An eligible entity and its commonly owned affiliates may combine North PQS and North catcher vessel owner quota share (CVO QS) and exchange these shares for newly created converted catcher/processor owner quota shares (CPO QS). Allowing entities to convert PQS and CVO QS to CPO QS allows them to harvest and process crab onboard a catcher/processor. Electing to exercise this provision could reduce each eligible entity’s operating costs associated with purchasing crab, processing crab on land or in a stationary floating processor, and complying with the CR Program’s arbitration system.
Eligible entities would receive one unit of North CPO QS in exchange for one unit of North CVO QS and 0.9 units of North PQS. The amount of converted CPO QS issued to each entity may not exceed 1 million pounds during any calendar year. Only entities listed below may apply for converted CPO QS/IFQ.
Entity A – Yardarm Knot, Inc.
Entity B – Blue Dutch, LLC
Entity C – Trident Seafoods, Inc.
A complete application includes identification of the applying entity, the QS being converted, entity information, affiliate information, and signatures of the entity and affiliates. In addition, NMFS must be able to verify that applicant has submitted all required Economic Data Reports and has paid all outstanding fee obligations.
m. Application for CR Program Eligibility to Receive QS/PQS or IFQ/IPQ by Transfer
This application is required by NMFS to establish an applicant’s eligibility to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer, if the person is not an Eligible Crab Community Organization.
The regulations that govern the BSAI Crab Rationalization Program provide that only persons who meet certain eligibility requirements may receive QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ by transfer. Persons eligible to receive CVC/CPC QS by transfer must also meet additional participation requirements at the time of transfer.
Eligibility to receive harvester QS/IFQ by transfer depends in part on the type of quota. In general, to be eligible to receive QS or IFQ, a person must be a U.S. citizen, or a U.S. company or other non-individual business entity. Owner QS may be received by initial QS recipients, by others who meet sea time requirements, and by CDQ groups and eligible crab community entities. In addition, crew type QS/IFQ may be received by transfer only by individuals who can demonstrate “recent participation” in the crab fisheries before each transfer.
Once approved, a person is eligible to receive crab thereafter, without reapplying, except for the two types of crew QS. Even after a person becomes initially eligible, he or she must show recent participation within the last 365 days in the CR fishery each time they apply to receive that type of QS.
A complete application includes the QS type, applicant information, eligibility information, entity information, commercial fishing experience, documentation, and certification of the applicant.
n. Application for Annual Exemption from Western Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab West Region Delivery Requirements
Participation in any application to exempt IFQ and IPQ from the West region delivery requirement is voluntary, but is necessary to utilize fully the total allowable catch in seasons when in-region processing facilities cannot meet the capacity requirements of the fishery. An exemption from West region delivery requirements is valid only for the remainder of the crab fishing year during which the application was received by and approved by NMFS.
Eligible participants complete and submit to NMFS an application requesting this exemption including an affidavit describing how eligible signatories meet the requirements. All eligible signatories, or their authorized representatives, must sign and date an affidavit affirming that all information provided on the application is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. Due to the remote geographic location of the WAG fishery, it may be necessary for IFQ and IPQ holders to arrange alternative deliveries and payments with processing facilities east of 174° W. long. prior to the approval date.
Upon receipt and approval of a completed application, NMFS would grant an exemption to the West regional delivery requirement. To expedite an exemption from the delivery requirements, NMFS would establish the effective date of the exemption as the date the completed application was received by NMFS. Upon approval of an application, the effective date would be applied retroactively to the date the application was received by NMFS.
o. Application for Exemption from CR Crab North or South Region Delivery Requirements
Federal regulations require that crab harvested with IFQ designated for delivery to a processor in either the North Region or South Region, must be delivered in that region. Likewise crab purchased with IPQ designated for processing in either the North Region or South Region, must be processed in that region. NMFS provides a voluntary two-step process to obtain an exemption from north or south regional delivery requirements: a preseason application for exemption and an inseason notice of exemption.
This application is for IFQ holders and IPQ holders to request an exemption from these regional delivery requirements for the Bristol Bay red king crab, Bering Sea snow crab, Saint Matthew Island blue king crab, Eastern Aleutian Islands golden king crab, Western Aleutian Islands red king crab, or Pribilof Islands red and blue king crab fisheries. An exemption would mitigate safety risks and economic hardships that arise out of events that prevent compliance with the regional delivery requirements.
Preseason Application
NMFS must receive the preseason application on or before October 15 of the crab fishing year for which the applicants are applying for an exemption. If NMFS does not receive a timely and complete preseason application on or before October 15 of a crab fishing year, NMFS will deny the preseason application; those applicants will not be able to receive an exemption for that crab fishing year. If a preseason application is timely and complete, NMFS will approve the application. If NMFS approves a preseason application for an exemption, the applicants will be able to receive an exemption during the crab fishing year if the applicants comply with the requirements for an inseason notice of exemption. If NMFS denies a preseason application for any reason, the applicants may appeal the denial. NMFS will notify all of the applicants whether NMFS has approved or denied the preseason application.
Inseason Notice of Exemption
The inseason notice is required if the applicants that signed the preseason application want an exemption from regional delivery requirements during the fishing season. Applicants submit the inseason notice to NMFS prior to the day that the exemption is being sought. NMFS must receive the Inseason Notice at least one day before the day intended for the exemption to take effect. NMFS must receive the inseason notice at least one day prior to the day on which the applicants want the exemption to take effect.
NMFS approves an exemption from the regional delivery requirements when both parts of the application are properly provided. All persons applying for an exemption from regional delivery requirements must complete, sign, and submit both parts of the application. The effective date of the exemption is the day after NMFS receives a complete inseason notice of exemption. NMFS prohibits any delivery of IFQ crab or use of IPQ outside of the designated region prior to the effective date of the exemption.
An exemption from regional delivery requirements is valid for the remainder of the crab fishing season during which the inseason notice of exemption was submitted to NMFS. If the inseason notice of exemption specifies that compensated deliveries will occur in the following crab fishing year, the exemption will remain in effect for the specified IFQ and IPQ in the following crab fishing year.
A complete application includes information about the entities requesting the exemption, what QS will be exempted, and signatures of applicable entities that have signed.
p. North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report
The annual North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report provides NMFS with the means to assess how the industry is exercising the exemption opportunity and whether implementing regulations are sufficient to meet the Council’s Statement of Intent for Amendment 41. This report provides documentation needed by NMFS to evaluate efficacy of privately administered contracts.
Each IFQ holder who signs a preseason application must submit a copy of an annual North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report to NMFS.
♦ On or before July 15 to the IPQ holders and community representatives that also signed the preseason application.
♦ On or before July 30 to NMFS
A complete report includes the amount of IFQ/IPQ subject to the exemption, the number of times an exemption has been used, mitigation measures, compensation agreements, whether the exemption was used, and any resulting impacts.
q. Voluntary Community Impact Report or IPQ Holder Report (N or S Response Report)
In response to the North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report, community entities and IPQ holders may submit a Community Impact Report or IPQ Holder Report. This report, by either title, is voluntary and may take any format. The report is basically a response to the North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report and provides an opportunity to provide NMFS with a contrasting viewpoint. In addition, these reports provide documentation needed by NMFS to evaluate efficacy of privately administered contracts.
r. CDQ Group Notification of Community Representative
NMFS issued a portion of the PQS for the Bering Sea snow crab fishery and the Saint Matthew Island blue king crab fishery without a ROFR designation (non-ROFR PQS). Saint Paul and Saint George are the only two communities in the North Region that have historically received and processed Bering Sea snow crab and Saint Matthew Island blue king crab; therefore, they would be the affected communities for the purposes of an exemption from the regional delivery requirements.
The Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) entity representing Saint Paul is the Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association (CBSFA). The CDQ representative for Saint George is the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA). The CDQ entity must designate to NMFS a single entity as the regional representative for these two communities. The two CDQ groups could choose a different entity for each specific fishery.
NMFS notified APICDA and CBSFA of the deadline to designate a community representative and provided instructions for informing NMFS of the community representative. APICDA and CBSFA had 180 days from the effective date of the final rule to inform NMFS in writing that they had designated a single community representative responsible for signing the framework agreement, the Preseason Application, the exemption contract, and the Inseason Application. The 180-day window should provide adequate time for the two CDQ entities to coordinate their recommendation but not create an undue delay.
s. Application to Become an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO)
An eligible crab community (ECC) is an Alaskan non-CDQ community in which 3 percent or more of any CR crab fishery was historically processed. An ECC can form a nonprofit entity to receive QS, IFQ, PQS and IPQ transfers on behalf of the community. The nonprofit entity is called an eligible crab community organization (ECCO).
This application is required by NMFS to establish the non-profit’s eligibility to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer, as an ECCO.
A complete application includes applicant information with supporting documentation, and a certification of the applicant.
t. Application for Transfer of Crab QS/IFQ to or from an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO)
An ECC may form a nonprofit entity to receive QS, IFQ, PQS and IPQ transfers on behalf of that community. Crab may be transferred to or from an eligible crab community organization (ECCO), which is a non-profit organization that represents at least one ECC. The ECCO must be approved by the Regional Administrator to obtain by transfer and hold crab QS and to lease IFQ resulting from the crab QS on behalf of an ECC. NMFS uses this information collection to transfer QS or IFQ to or from an ECCO.
This form may only be used if an ECCO is the proposed transferor or the proposed transferee of the QS or IFQ. The party to whom an ECCO is seeking to transfer the QS/IFQ must be eligible to receive QS/IFQ by transfer.
A complete application includes transferor information, transferee information, identification of the QS/IFQ being transferred, price information, financing information, certification of the parties, and associated documentation relating to the deal.
u. Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) Annual Report
The ECCO must submit a complete annual report to the Regional Administrator on its crab activity for the prior crab fishing year for each Eligible Crab Community which the ECCO represents by June 30 of the crab fishing year. The ECCO annual report must detail the use of the crab quota share and IFQ and is intended to ensure that the ECCO maintains that the QS and IFQ will benefit residents of eligible communities. The ECCO must submit a copy of the annual report to the governing body of each ECC represented by the ECCO.
A complete report includes information about the associated vessels and harvesters, the methods used to distribute the IFQ held by the ECCO, and any changes or actions by the ECCO.
v. BSAI Crab Rationalization Program Quota Share (QS) Beneficiary Designation Form
Individuals who hold QS in the CR Program may provide NMFS with the name of a designated beneficiary to receive survivorship transfer privileges in the event of the QS holder’s death. This form is used to designate the surviving spouse, or in the absence of a surviving spouse, an immediate family member to be the beneficiary for these purposes. NMFS will allow the transfer of IFQ only (lease) resulting from the QS transferred to the beneficiary by right of survivorship, for a period of 3 years following the death of the original QS holder. It should be noted that BSAI Crab QS/IFQ can only be held by a U.S. citizen.
If the QS holder does not have a surviving spouse, they may name an immediate family member to be the beneficiary. NMFS may approve an application to transfer QS to the surviving spouse or designated beneficiary, unless a contrary intent is expressed by the decedent in a Will and provided that sufficient evidence has been provided to verify the death of the individual.
A complete application includes QS holder information, identification of the beneficiary, relationship of the beneficiary, and signature of the QS holder.
w. File an Appeal to NMFS Decisions
The CR Program provides for appeal on decisions made by NMFS through the National Appeals Office (NAO, formerly known as the Office of Administrative Appeals [OAA]). Any person whose interest is directly and adversely affected by an initial administrative determination (IAD) may file a written appeal. If an applicant appeals an IAD, the appeal must be filed not later than 60 days after the date the determination is issued.
Applicants must submit a full written statement in support of the appeal, including a concise statement of the reasons the IAD has a direct and adverse effect on the applicant and should be reversed or modified. If the applicant requests a hearing on any issue presented in the appeal, such request for hearing must be accompanied by a concise written statement raising genuine and substantial issues of adjudicative fact for resolution and a list of available and specifically identified reliable evidence upon which the factual issues can be resolved. The appellate officer will limit his/her review to the issues stated in the appeal; all issues not set out in the appeal will be waived. The appellate officer will review the applicant’s appeal and request for hearing.
The appellate officer will close the record and issue a decision after determining there is sufficient information to render a decision on the record of the proceedings and that all procedural requirements have been met. The decision must be based solely on the record of the proceedings. An appellate officer’s decision takes effect 30 days after it is issued and, upon taking effect, is the final agency action for purposes of judicial review.
If appeals result in a positive action after IFQ has been issued for that fishery, the person would not receive IFQ until the following year. This single annual issuance is required for administrative purposes so that mid-year adjustments to other IFQ holders do not occur that would alter their allocation or the ratio of QS to IFQ for that year.
There is no standard form for an appeal.
No appeals have been filed. For purposes of this analysis, one response is used in the tables in Q12 and Q13.
The following section addresses whether the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support information that will be disseminated to the public and how the collection complies with all applicable Information Quality Guidelines.
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.
It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support publicly disseminated information. NMFS 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.
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.
3. 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 forms are available as fillable pdfs on the NMFS Alaska Region website. Most of the instruments in this collection may be submitted by fax. The following applications may be submitted online using eFISH, the NMFS-approved electronic reporting system:
Application for Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) Permit – renewal only
Application for A Federal Crab Vessel Permit (FCVP) – renewal only
Application for Transfer (Lease) of Crab IFQ
Application for Transfer of Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) between Crab Harvesting Cooperatives
Application for Transfer (Lease) of Crab IPQ
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; and renew certain fishery permits. CR Program permit holders can use eFISH to print their crab annual IFQ/IPQ permit, crab hired master permit, registered crab receiver permit, and Federal crab vessel permit. 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.
NMFS is pursuing a method in the future whereby all of the information will be entered online and submitted directly and automatically into a database.
4. 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
This information collection is part of a specialized and technical program that is not like any other. There are no other mechanisms to issue or transfer program allocations, or administer other features of the program.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.
This collection of information applies to QS/IFQ holders, PQS/IPQ holders, crab vessel owners, hired masters, ECCOs, and CDQ groups, which include small entities. This information collection does not impose a significant impact on small entities, as it requires relatively small amounts of information that should be readily accessible to the respondent.
6. 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.
NMFS manages CR Program fisheries on an annual basis which requires regular contact with fishery stakeholders. The information collections in this package allow NMFS to ensure that CR Program participants are adhering to CR Program regulations in order to achieve sustainable and economically rational crab fisheries. Other elements of this package allow CR Program participants to utilize crab harvest and processing flexibilities to optimize benefits to themselves and the nation while still protecting historically dependent communities. If these collections were conducted less frequently, or not at all, crab harvesters and processors would be delayed or prevented from receiving or transferring their fishery allocations. This would cause severe economic harm to CR Program participants and dependent communities. Additionally, NMFS would be substantially less able to ensure compliance with CR Program regulations that ensure sustainability and fairness in the fishery.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
This collection is conducted in a manner consistent with OMB guidelines.
8. 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 6, 2020 (85 FR 10413), solicited public comments. No comments were received. Additionally, NMFS Alaska Region contacted CR Program participants to inform them of this opportunity to comment. Comments were received from two brokers and a crab fisherman on the Application For Annual Crab Harvesting Cooperative Individual Fishing Quota Permit that indicated it takes them about 20 hours to get all the information from the quota share holders, and 2 to 4 hours to put it together for the application. In response to these comments, we have increased the burden estimate for this application from 15 hours to 23 hours.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payment or gift to respondents is provided under this program.
10. 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 Notice that covers this information collection is COMMERCE/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries. An amended Privacy Act system of records notice 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).
11. 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.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.
Information Collection |
Type of Respondent (Occupational Title) |
# of Respondents (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) |
Mean Hourly Wage Rate (for Type of Respondent) (f)1/ |
Total Annual Wage Burden Costs (g) = (e) x (f) |
Application for Annual Crab Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) permit |
QS holder |
467 |
1 |
467 |
2.5 hrs |
1,168 |
$23.46 |
27,401 |
Application for Annual Crab Individual Processing Quota (IPQ) Permit |
PQS holder |
29 |
1 |
29 |
2 hrs |
58 |
$23.46 |
1,360 |
Application for Annual Crab Harvesting Cooperative Individual Fishing Quota Permit |
QS holder |
9 |
1 |
9 |
23 hrs |
207 |
$23.46 |
4,856 |
Application for Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) Permit |
Vessel owner |
52 |
1 |
11 paper 41 online |
30 min paper 30 min online |
6 hrs paper; 21 hrs online |
$23.46 |
633 |
Application for BSAI Crab Hired Master (skipper) Permit |
IFQ holder |
11 |
1 |
11 |
1 hr |
11 |
$23.46 |
258 |
Application for Federal Crab Vessel Permit (FCVP) |
All vessels participating in CR Program fisheries |
102 |
1 |
55 paper 47 online |
20 min paper 20 min online |
18 hrs paper; 16 hrs online |
$23.46 |
798 |
Application for Transfer of Crab Quota Share (QS) |
QS holder |
2042/ |
1 |
102 |
2 hrs |
204 |
$23.46 |
4,786 |
Application for Transfer of Crab Processor Quota Share (PQS) |
QS holder |
1002/ |
1 |
50 |
2 hrs |
100 |
$23.46 |
2,346 |
Application for Transfer (lease) of Crab IFQ |
IFQ holder |
7842/ |
1 |
163 paper 229 online |
2.5 hrs paper; 1 hr online |
408 hrs paper; 229 hrs online |
$23.46 |
14,944 |
Application for Transfer of Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) between Crab Harvesting Cooperatives |
IFQ holder |
182/ |
7 |
15 paper 110 online |
2.5 hrs paper; 1 hr online |
38 hrs paper; 110 hrs online |
$23.46 |
3,472 |
Application for Transfer (Lease) of Crab IPQ |
IPQ holder |
582/ |
1 |
1 paper 28 online |
2.5 hrs paper; 1 hr online |
3 hrs paper; 28 hrs online |
$23.46 |
727 |
Application for Converted CPO Quota Share (QS) and CPO IFQ |
Catcher/processor owner |
3 |
1 |
3 |
30 min |
2 |
$23.46 |
47 |
Application for CR Program Eligibility to Receive QS/PQS or IFQ/IPQ by Transfer |
Persons seeking authority to receive QS/PQS/IFQ/IPQ by transfer under the CR Program |
60 |
1 |
60 |
2 hrs |
120 |
$23.46 |
2,815 |
Application for Annual Exemption from Western Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab West Region Delivery Requirements |
QS/PQS holder or municipality |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 hrs |
2 |
23.46 |
47 |
Application for Exemption from CR Crab North or South Region Delivery Requirements |
IFQ/IPQ holder or community representative |
20 |
1 |
20 |
20 hrs |
400 |
$23.46 |
9,384 |
North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report |
IFQ/IPQ holder or community representative |
20 |
1 |
20 |
20 hrs |
400 |
$23.46 |
9,384 |
Voluntary Community Impact Report or IPQ Holder Report (N or S Response Report) |
Community entities and IPQ holders |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 hrs |
2 |
$23.46 |
47 |
CDQ Group Notification of Community Representative |
CDQ representative |
1 |
1 response for each of the 5 crab fisheries |
5 |
5 hrs |
25 |
$23.46 |
586 |
Application to Become an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
Non-profit organization |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2.5 hrs |
3 |
$23.46 |
70 |
Application for Transfer of Crab QS/IFQ to or from an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
Non-profit organization |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 hrs |
4 |
$23.46 |
94 |
Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) Annual Report |
ECCO representative |
2 |
1 |
2 |
4 hrs |
8 |
$23.46 |
188 |
BSAI Crab Rationalization Program Quota Share (QS) Beneficiary Designation Form |
QS holder |
4 |
1 |
4 |
30 min |
2 |
$23.46 |
47 |
File an Appeal to NMFS Decisions |
Persons wishing to fax an appeal of IAD issued by RAM |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 hrs |
4 |
$23.46 |
94 |
Totals |
|
|
|
1,488 |
|
3,597 |
|
$84,384 |
1/ 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 application is completed by two respondents: the transferor and the transferee.
13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or record-keepers resulting from the collection
Information Collection |
# of Respondents (a) |
Annual # of Responses / Respondent (b) |
Total # of Annual Responses (c)=(a) x (b) |
Cost Burden / Respondent (h) |
Total Annual Cost Burden (i) = (c) x (h) |
Application for Annual Crab Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) permit |
467 |
1 |
467 |
Operating costs - $5 |
2,335 |
Application for Annual Crab Individual Processing Quota (IPQ) Permit |
29 |
1 |
29 |
Operating costs - $5 |
145 |
Application for Annual Crab Harvesting Cooperative Individual Fishing Quota Permit |
9 |
1 |
9 |
Operating costs - $5 |
45 |
Application for Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) Permit |
52 |
1 |
11 paper; 41 online |
Operating costs - $5 |
260 |
Application for BSAI Crab Hired Master (skipper) Permit |
11 |
1 |
11 |
Operating costs - $5 |
55 |
Application for Federal Crab Vessel Permit (FCVP) |
102 |
1 |
55 paper ; 47 online |
Operating costs - $5 |
510 |
Application for Transfer of Crab Quota Share (QS) |
2042/ |
1 |
102 |
Operating costs - $5 Notary - $10 |
3,0602/ |
Application for Transfer of Crab Processor Quota Share (PQS) |
1002/ |
1 |
50 |
Operating costs - $5 Notary - $10 |
1,5002/ |
Application for Transfer (lease) of Crab IFQ |
7842/ |
1 |
163 paper; 229 online |
Operating costs - $5 |
3,9202/ |
Application for Transfer of Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) between Crab Harvesting Cooperatives |
182/ |
7 |
15 paper; 110 online |
Operating costs - $5 |
1,2502/ |
Application for Transfer (Lease) of Crab IPQ |
582/ |
1 |
1 paper; 28 online |
Operating costs - $5 |
2902/ |
Application for Converted CPO Quota Share (QS) and CPO IFQ |
3 |
1 |
3 |
Operating costs - $5 |
15 |
Application for CR Program Eligibility to Receive QS/PQS or IFQ/IPQ by Transfer |
60 |
1 |
60 |
Operating costs - $5 |
300 |
Application for Annual Exemption from Western Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab West Region Delivery Requirements |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Operating costs - $5 |
5 |
Application for Exemption from CR Crab North or South Region Delivery Requirements |
20 |
1 |
20 |
Operating costs - $5 |
100 |
North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report |
20 |
1 |
20 |
Operating costs - $5 |
100 |
Voluntary Community Impact Report or IPQ Holder Report (N or S Response Report) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Operating costs - $5 |
5 |
CDQ Group Notification of Community Representative |
1 |
1 response for each of the 5 crab fisheries |
5 |
Operating costs - $5 |
25 |
Application to Become an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Operating costs - $5 Notary - $10 |
15 |
Application for Transfer of Crab QS/IFQ to or from an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Operating costs - $5 Notary - $10 |
30 |
Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) Annual Report |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Operating costs - $5 |
10 |
BSAI Crab Rationalization Program Quota Share (QS) Beneficiary Designation Form |
4 |
1 |
4 |
Operating costs - $5 Notary - $10 |
60 |
File an Appeal to NMFS Decisions |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Operating costs - $5 Attorney - $5003/ |
505 |
TOTALS |
|
|
1,488 |
|
14,540 |
1/ Operating costs account for the typical inclusive general office services packages that include expenses for internet, email, fax, copying, mailing, and printing.
2/ The application is completed by two respondents: the transferor and the transferee.
3/ 4 hours of attorney time at $125 per hour
14. 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.
A cost recovery program is in effect for the CR Program. Under this cost recovery program, NMFS is authorized to collect direct program costs from the permit holders. Therefore, the information collection requirements of the CR Program do not impose a cost on the Federal Government. Direct program costs are the costs NMFS incurs to manage, collect data from, and enforce the CR Program.
The direct program costs for the CR Program in 2018–19 were $ $3,017,069.
The following are examples of the tasks that were included under the 2018/2019 CR Program direct program costs:
• management and stock assessment needs resulting from rationalization;
• fishery monitoring and observer support above pre-rationalized levels;
• maintenance of the catch accounting system;
• programming and web site design for online applications;
• issuing and responding to questions about CR Program permits;
• regulatory development for the CR Program;
• training and outreach for electronic reporting of crab harvest;
• transfers of QS and IFQ, responding to questions about transfers;
• fee determination and collection processes;
• inspections, boardings, investigations, and enforcement activities; and
• administration of CR Program Economic Data Reports.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in ROCIS.
The following tables show the changes in the number of respondents, responses, time estimates, labor costs, and miscellaneous costs; and explains the reasons for these changes.
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 |
|||
Current Renewal / Revision |
Previous Renewal / Revision |
Current Renewal / Revision |
Previous Renewal / Revision |
Current Renewal / Revision |
Previous Renewal / Revision |
||
Application for Annual Crab Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) permit |
467 |
498 |
467 |
498 |
1,168 |
1,245 |
— |
Application for Annual Crab Individual Processing Quota (IPQ) Permit |
29 |
29 |
29 |
29 |
58 |
58 |
— |
Application for Annual Crab Harvesting Cooperative Individual Fishing Quota Permit |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
207 |
135 |
Burden: Increased from 15 hours to 23 hours in response to comments. |
Application for Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) Permit |
52 |
53 |
52 |
53 |
27 |
27 |
— |
Application for BSAI Crab Hired Master (skipper) Permit |
11 |
69 |
11 |
69 |
11 |
69 |
— |
Application for Federal Crab Vessel Permit (FCVP) |
102 |
103 |
102 |
103 |
34 |
36 |
— |
Application for Transfer of Crab Quota Share (QS) |
204 |
130 |
102 |
130 |
204 |
260 |
Respondents: Adjusted to reflect the transferor and transferee. |
Application for Transfer of Crab Processor Quota Share (PQS) |
100 |
58 |
50 |
58 |
100 |
116 |
Respondents: Adjusted to reflect the transferor and transferee are both respondents. |
Application for Transfer (lease) of Crab IFQ |
784 |
10 |
392 |
10 |
637 |
20 |
Respondents: Adjusted to reflect the transferor and transferee are both respondents Burden hours: corrected the burden hours in the supporting statement for the form response time from 2 hours to 2.5 hours. |
Application for Transfer of Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) between Crab Harvesting Cooperatives |
18 |
9 |
125 |
165 |
148 |
14 |
Respondents: Adjusted to reflect the transferor and transferee are both respondents. Burden hours: The burden in the previous supporting statement was incorrectly reported and has been corrected. |
Application for Transfer (Lease) of Crab IPQ |
58 |
30 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
Respondents: Adjusted to reflect the transferor and transferee are both respondents. Burden hours: corrected from 2 hours to 2.5 hours for the form |
Application for Converted CPO Quota Share (QS) and CPO IFQ |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
— |
Application for CR Program Eligibility to Receive QS/PQS or IFQ/IPQ by Transfer |
60 |
66 |
60 |
66 |
120 |
132 |
— |
Application for Annual Exemption from Western Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab West Region Delivery Requirements |
1 |
10 |
1 |
10 |
2 |
20 |
— |
Application for Exemption from CR Crab North or South Region Delivery Requirements |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
400 |
400 |
— |
North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
400 |
400 |
— |
Voluntary Community Impact Report or IPQ Holder Report (N or S Response Report) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
— |
CDQ Group Notification of Community Representative |
1 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
25 |
25 |
— |
Application to Become an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
— |
Application for Transfer of Crab QS/IFQ to or from an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
Respondents: Adjusted to reflect the transferor and transferee are both respondents. |
Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) Annual Report |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
— |
BSAI Crab Rationalization Program Quota Share (QS) Beneficiary Designation Form |
4 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
— |
File an Appeal to NMFS Decisions |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
— |
Total for Collection |
496* |
575* |
1,488 |
1,284 |
3,597 |
3,007 |
|
Difference |
- 79 |
204 |
590 |
|
|||
*Unique respondents. Some CR Program participants 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. The estimated number of unique respondents consists of 467 QS holders and 29 PQS holders.
Information Collection |
Labor Costs |
Miscellaneous Costs |
Reason for change or adjustment |
||
Current |
Previous |
Current |
Previous |
||
Application for Annual Crab Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) permit |
27,401 |
40,065 |
2,335 |
1,198 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Annual Crab Individual Processing Quota (IPQ) Permit |
1,360 |
2,146 |
145 |
28 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Annual Crab Harvesting Cooperative Individual Fishing Quota Permit |
4,856 |
4,995 |
45 |
11 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) Permit |
633 |
999 |
260 |
130 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for BSAI Crab Hired Master (skipper) Permit |
258 |
2,553 |
55 |
156 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Federal Crab Vessel Permit (FCVP) |
798 |
1,332 |
510 |
138 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Transfer of Crab Quota Share (QS) |
4,786 |
9,620 |
3,060 |
857 |
Labor costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages and increased notary cost. |
Application for Transfer of Crab Processor Quota Share (PQS) |
2,346 |
4,262 |
1,500 |
382 |
Labor costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages and increased notary cost. |
Application for Transfer (lease) of Crab IFQ |
14,944 |
740 |
3,920 |
30 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Transfer of Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) between Crab Harvesting Cooperatives |
3,472 |
1,221 |
1,250 |
36 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Transfer (Lease) of Crab IPQ |
727 |
1,184 |
290 |
7 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Converted CPO Quota Share (QS) and CPO IFQ |
47 |
74 |
15 |
7 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for CR Program Eligibility to Receive QS/PQS or IFQ/IPQ by Transfer |
2,815 |
4,884 |
300 |
217 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Annual Exemption from Western Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab West Region Delivery Requirements |
47 |
740 |
5 |
42 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application for Exemption from CR Crab North or South Region Delivery Requirements |
9,384 |
30,000 |
100 |
35 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
North or South Region Delivery Exemption Report |
9,384 |
30,000 |
100 |
30 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Voluntary Community Impact Report or IPQ Holder Report (N or S Response Report) |
47 |
150 |
5 |
1 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
CDQ Group Notification of Community Representative |
586 |
1,875 |
25 |
1 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
Application to Become an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
70 |
111 |
15 |
7 |
Labor costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages and increased notary cost. |
Application for Transfer of Crab QS/IFQ to or from an Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) |
94 |
74 |
30 |
7 |
Labor costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages and increased notary cost. |
Eligible Crab Community Organization (ECCO) Annual Report |
188 |
148 |
10 |
1 |
Labor
costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. |
BSAI Crab Rationalization Program Quota Share (QS) Beneficiary Designation Form |
47 |
19 |
60 |
7 |
Labor costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages and increased notary cost. |
File an Appeal to NMFS Decisions |
94 |
148 |
505 |
2 |
Labor costs: Is now based on BLS hourly wage rate. Misc. costs: Revised amount to account for typical inclusive general office services packages and that most people would hire an attorney to prepare an appeal. |
Total for Collection |
84,384 |
137,340* |
14,540 |
3,330 |
|
Difference |
- 52,956 |
11,210 |
|
||
* In the 2017 renewal supporting statement, the total labor costs were reported incorrectly as $145,913.
16. 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.
Summary information about crab QS/PQS allocations and holders, IFQ/IPQ allocations and holders, program cooperatives, and crab permit holders are published in reports on the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/commercial-fishing/permits-and-licenses-issued-alaska.
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.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.
The expiration date for OMB approval of this collection will be displayed.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.
The agency certifies compliance with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).”
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Richard Roberts |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-10-07 |