0648-0798 Supporting Statement A

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Vessel Information Family of Forms

OMB Control No. 0648-0798

Abstract

This request is for a new temporary collection. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is promulgating a rule to implement a decision of the Commission on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC or the Commission). Due to the timing of the rulemaking and the timing of the renewal of the collection of information 0648-0595, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Vessel Information Family of Forms, NMFS is submitting a request for creation of a temporary collection. NMFS will submit a request to merge this new temporary collection with 0648-0595 upon publication of the final rule RIN 0648-BI79.

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 Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFCIA; 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), provides the Secretary of Commerce with the authority to develop such regulations as are needed to carry out the obligations of the United States as a member of the Commission. This authority has been delegated to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). In 2018, the Commission adopted Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2018-06, WCPFC Record of Fishing Vessels and Authorization to Fish, which requires that the United States provide to the Commission a vessel’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) number for vessels at least 100 Gross Tonnage (GT) or 100 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) in size, or for motorized inboard fishing vessels of less than 100 GRT (or 100 GRT) down to a size of 12 meters in length overall (LOA), for those vessels authorized to be used for fishing in the Convention Area beyond the U.S. exclusive economic zone. Previously, the requirement applied only to vessels at least 100 GT or 100 GRT in size, so the new requirement that would be implemented by NMFS through rulemaking would extend the requirement to motorized inboard fishing vessels of less than 100 GT or 100 GRT down to a size of 12 meters in length overall. An IMO number, also known as an IMO ship identification number, is a unique number issued for a ship or vessel under the ship identification number scheme established by the IMO. Once issued, an IMO number will remain with the vessel for its life, regardless of changes to the vessel’s name, flag, ownership, or other attributes. This collection requirement serves to collect information based on a decision of the Commission made under CMM 2018-06, which requires each member of the Commission to ensure that IMO numbers are issued for the above listed categories of vessels. To satisfy this Commission requirement, NMFS will require that the owner of each subject vessel request and obtain an IMO number, which they can do by submitting certain information about the vessel and its ownership and management to the administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme, which is a private third party not associated with the United States government or any other government. Although NMFS will not collect this information directly, the requirement to submit the information to the third party is covered by this information collection.

2. 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

This information will be used by NMFS, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and the Commission in order to improve monitoring, control and surveillance capabilities. IMO numbers are a useful tool to quickly and accurately identify vessels and trace their activity over time, regardless of a change in name, ownership or flag.

The information required for a vessel to obtain an IMO number is a one-time collection.

Owners and operators of vessels are required to provide information specified by the administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme. The current administrator is IHS Maritime. Instructions on how to apply for an IMO number are available at: https://imonumbers.lrfairplay.com. The required information includes but is not limited to:

1. Current ship name/shipyard ID

2. Original name

3. Flag

4. Fishing number

5. Gross and net tonnage

6. Overall length

7. Shipbuilder

8. Place of build

9. Hull number

10. Registered owner and owner address

11. Manager and manager address

12. Company name

13. Contact name

14. Sender’s email

For those elements of this information collection that are collected by NMFS, up to the point of submitting the information to the Commission, sharing it with other U.S. agencies such as the USCG, or disseminating it to the public, NMFS retains control and safeguards it from improper access, modification, and destruction consistent with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) policies. None of the collected information is considered to be confidential or protected by NMFS as such. Once submitted to the Commission, the Commission will maintain and control access to the information in accordance with its Rules and Procedures for the Protection of, Access to, and Dissemination of Data Compiled by the Commission. According to those rules and procedures, the information will be treated as public domain data; that is, it will not be treated as confidential or protected as such. Most or all of the information will be disseminated by the Commission to the public via the Commission’s public website. It will be disseminated in close to its original form.

The information provided in applications for IMO numbers is used by the administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme to generate an IMO number for the vessel that is unique and stays with the vessel. The administrator makes the IMO number publicly available and also uses the data in its commercial products, such as directories of vessels.

The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information collected by NMFS will be subjected to quality control measures and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554.

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.

Required forms and instructions to obtain an IMO number are available and may be submitted online at https://imonumbers.lrfairplay.com.

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

The form used to collect information necessary to apply for an IMO number is specified by the third party administrator of the IMO ship number identification scheme, and the information is not collected by NMFS. NOAA and NMFS have no control over the information that is required to obtain an IMO number and so it is possible that information submitted for that purpose duplicates information submitted to NMFS for other purposes.

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

All fishing operations subject to this collection of information are small businesses. However, all of the data collected have been deemed necessary by the Contracting Parties to the Commission, including the United States, and the reporting burden is very minor relative to the overall cost of fishing.

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.

If the information is not collected, the U.S. government will not meet its obligations as a Contracting Party and a member of the Commission, and would consequently fail to fulfill the provisions of the WCPFCIA. The lack of collected data from the U.S. HMS fleets operating in the WCPFC Area would provide a disincentive to the other fishing nations in the region to provide to the Commission vessel data for their fleets. The effective management of the fishery resources under the Commission would consequently be compromised. The information collected to obtain an IMO number is a one-time collection.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

The collection is consistent with Office of Management and Budget (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 proposed rule (RIN 0648-BI79) was published in the Federal Register, on October 7, 2021. No comments were received that relate to the collection components nor do any changes from the proposed to final rule impact this collection.

A Federal Register Notice for information collection 0648-0595 published on April 21, 2021 (86 FR 20665) solicited public comments. No comments were received.

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

No payment or gifts to respondents will be provided.

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.

No assurance of confidentiality will be provided to respondents.

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.

No questions of a sensitive nature will be asked.

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)	Total Annual Wage Burden Costs (g) = (e) x (f)
Request for IMO Ship Identification Number	45-1011	48	1	48	0.5	24	$26.16	$627.84
Totals				48		24		$627.84

13. 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 (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)
Request for IMO Ship Identification Number	48	1	48	$1	$48
TOTALS			48		$48

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.

Cost Descriptions	Grade/Step	Loaded Salary /Cost	% of Effort	Fringe (if Applicable)	Total Cost to Government
Federal Oversight
Communications in extraordinary circumstances when IMO Ship Identification Number is unable to be procured	GS 11 Step 1	$66,662	0.096		$64.10
Contractor Cost
Travel
Other Costs
TOTAL		$66,662			$64.10

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

While this request is for a new temporary information collection, the necessity of this collection is due to the timing of the rulemaking and the renewal of the collection of information 0648-0595. The tables below indicate how the relevant IC of 0648-0595 is changing pursuant to rule 0648-BI79, and this collection will be merged into 0648-0595 upon publication of the final rule 0648-BI79.

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
Request for IMO Ship Identification Number	48	2	48	1	24	0.5	Number of respondents changed as the requirement expanded to include more vessels than it was previously applicable to
Total for Collection	48	2	48	1	24	0.5
Difference	+46		+47		+23.5

Information Collection	Labor Costs		Miscellaneous Costs		Reason for change or adjustment
	Current	Previous	Current	Previous
Request for IMO Ship Identification Number	$627.84	$26.16	$48	$2	Number of respondents changed as the requirement expanded to include more vessels than it was previously applicable to
Total for Collection	$627.84	$26.16	$48	$2
Difference	+$601.68		+$46

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.

As described in Question 2, the data will be made publicly available on the Commission website, along with similar data from other Commission members, in a searchable and downloadable online database. No information collected is specifically intended for formal scientific publication at this time, but it might be used for such purposes by NMFS or other parties. In addition to using the information in its raw format for day-to-day management purposes, NMFS, the USCG, and the Commission may also use the data (primarily in aggregated, summarized, and synthesized format) for informal publications such as technical papers and reports.

17. 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 form used to collect information necessary to apply for an IMO number is specified by the third party administrator of the IMO ship number identification scheme. NOAA and NMFS have no control over the information on the form that is required to obtain an IMO number .

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

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

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