Electronic Monitoring Systems for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS)
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
08/15/2022
table that charts list comparision
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/2023
07/31/2023
33,615
35,409
3,305
5,276
238,862
384,233
This is a resubmission, with the final rule, of a request for revision of an existing information collection. The associated rule, Amendment 13 to the 2006 Atlantic Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (Amendment 13), adds a requirement to report commercial fishing interactions with bluefin tuna to Atlantic Tunas Longline permitted vessels using green-stick gear, and removal of reporting requirement for vessels fishing with purse seine gear, which would no longer be allowed. (RIN 0648-BI08).
Two changes were made to this information collection (ICR) from the proposed to the final rule that resulted in changes to the burden and cost estimates for this collection. Previously, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) would cover all costs associated with the installation of electronic monitoring (EM) systems; however, NMFS is now moving toward having vessel owners pay for portions of the EM system consistent with the NOAA Cost Allocation Policy (Procedure 04-115-02). Per this policy change, the final rule now requires that installation of hardware to improve the view of the EM rail camera, and installation of a measuring grid will be incurred by the vessel owner, and will not be subject to reimbursement from NMFS. New entrants to the HMS fishery may still qualify for reimbursement for EM equipment costs if funds are available. As all active vessels now possess EM systems, this ICR has been modified to include full EM installation costs for only one new entrant per year. Finally, the final rule reduces the EM reporting burden for the longline fishery by half. Previously, EM vessels were required to send their EM hard drives to NMFS following every trip, but this rule modifies that reporting requirement to every other trip. While these changes were not included in this PRA supporting statement at the proposed rule stage, the public was given the opportunity to comment on all of them during proposed rule comment period, and summaries of their comments and the agencyâs responses are included under question 8. The combined effect of these changes is a significant reduction in reporting burden and costs for the pelagic longline fishery.
US Code:
16 USC 971
Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975
Vessel Monitoring System Certification Statement for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
table that charts list of burden
Total Request
Previously Approved
Change Due to New Statute
Change Due to Agency Discretion
Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses
33,615
35,409
0
2,063
-3,857
0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)
3,305
5,276
0
2,063
-4,034
0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)
238,862
384,233
0
52,391
-197,762
0
Yes
Miscellaneous Actions
No
Reduction of the EM reporting burden for longline fisheries as rule modifies reporting requirement to every other trip and removal of reporting requirement for vessels fishing with purse seine gear.
Additionally, Electronic Video and Gear Monitoring Requirements was split into 4 separate ICs for increased transparency and it was discovered that there was an administrative error in failing to include burden for service payments and purchase/install and EMP. This has been corrected in this submission.
$1,486,847
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Clifford Hutt 301 427-8588
Reginfo record details
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
0648-0372 Supporting Statement Part A_BI08 2022-0812.docx
Vessel Monitoring System for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species - purchase, installation and activation checklist