This is a request for revision and
extension of an existing information collection. Revisions to three
forms - the quota share owner form, the first receiver and
shorebased processor form, and the catcher vessel form - are
proposed. The purpose of the changes are fourfold: remove requests
for information that are not used in development of a Pacific
Fishery Management Council Fishery Management Plan, consolidate
questions where additional detail is no longer required, clarify
handling of intercompany transfers and inventory, and collect more
accurate information about hourly wages. In 2011, NOAA Fisheries
and the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) implemented a
catch shares program for the West Coast groundfish trawl fishery.
To monitor the impact of this new program, the PFMC proposed the
implementation of the mandatory collection of economic data. The
Economic Data Collection (EDC) Program is a mandatory component of
the West Coast groundfish trawl catch share program, collecting
information annually from all catch share participants:
catcher-processors, catcher vessels, motherships, first receivers,
shorebased processors, and quota share owners. The EDC information
is used to monitor the economic effects of the catch share program,
and consists of data on operating costs, revenues, and vessel and
processing facility characteristics. The EDC Program is intended to
help meet the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (MSA) requirement for regular reviews of catch share programs.
The information created by the EDC Program was fundamental to the
formal 5-year review of the catch share program required under the
MSA, finalized in early 2018; and will be essential to the next
review, scheduled to commence in 2023. The data collected allow for
evaluation of program goals including: provide for a viable,
profitable, and efficient groundfish fishery; increase operational
flexibility; minimize adverse effects from an IFQ program on
fishing communities and other fisheries to the extent practical;
promote measurable economic and employment benefits through the
harvesting, processing, distribution, and support sectors of the
industry; provide quality product for the consumer; and, increase
safety in the fishery.
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 303A Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
Change in labor rates and
number of respondents based on the most recent data. Miscellaneous
costs are removed as almost all responses are submitted
electronically.
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.