West Coast Region Pacific
Tuna Fisheries Logbook, Fish Aggregating Device Form, and Observer
Safety Reporting
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
07/19/2024
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
12/31/2025
3,894
11,021
208
861
2,648
6,063
This request is for a revision and
extension of a currently approved collection of information. The
revisions are a result of a proposed rule (RIN: 0648-BM70) under
the Tuna Conventions Act (TCA) of 1950, as amended, to implement
Resolutions adopted at the 101st Meeting of the Inter-American
Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in August 2023. These Resolutions
include Resolution C-23-03 (Amendment to Resolution C-99-07 on Fish
Aggregating Devices) and Resolution C-23-04 (On The Design and
Biodegradability of Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs) in
the IATTC Area of Competence). The proposed rule would modify
regulations for the design of fish aggregating devices (FADs) in
the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) to require non-entangling and
biodegradable materials. Furthermore, the proposed rule would
require that vessels engaged in FAD recovery projects in the IATTC
convention area report data on recovered FADs to the IATTC. The
United States’ (U.S.) participation in the Inter-American Tropical
Tuna Commission (IATTC) results in certain record keeping
requirements for U.S. vessel owners and operators who fish in the
IATTC’s area of management responsibility. Under Federal
regulations (50 CFR Part 300 Subpart C), these vessel owners and
operators must maintain a log of all operations conducted from the
fishing vessel, entering the date, noon position (latitude and
longitude or in relation to known physical features), and the
tonnage of fish aboard by species. This record keeping requirement
may be met by using the bridge log, which is furnished and
collected from vessel owners and operators by the IATTC. As a
practical matter, all U.S. vessel owners and operators use the
IATTC log rather than having to maintain two logbooks, and there is
no separate National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) form now in
use. In addition, vessel owners and operators would be required to
collect data specifically on fish aggregating devices (FADs) to
meet international obligations under IATTC Resolution C-16-01.
Owners and operators of a FAD would be required to record this
information on the standard form developed by the IATTC Secretariat
and provided to the owners and operators by NMFS Regional
Administrator. The record keeping requirements provide information
that is needed to assess the impacts of fishing on tuna stocks and
non-target species, to better understand the number and type of
FADs, and to evaluate the effectiveness of management measures. The
authority to implement Federal rules to meet U.S. responsibilities
to the IATTC is set forth in the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq).
US Code:
16
USC 951-962 Name of Law: Tuna Conventions Act of 1950
Adjusted based on number of
active purse seine vessels and 2021-2023 average trips per year,
which corresponds to the number of cannery offloads and data sheets
submitted each year. Also active purse seine vessels and how rarely
these reports are necessary. Additonal ajusments based on number of
active purse seine vessels and 2021-2023 average of submitted log
and FAD forms. Additional revision made in pursuant of rule
0648-BM70.
$0
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Rachael Wadsworth 562
980-4036
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.