0648-0272 Supporting Statement Part A

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Individual Fishing Quotas for

Pacific Halibut and Sablefish in the Alaska Fisheries

OMB Control No. 0648-0272

SUPPORTING STATEMENT PART A

Abstract

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Regional Office (AKRO), requests extension and revision of this currently approved information.

Minor editorial changes were made to the forms to improve clarity and consistency. One was revised to remove an unnecessary checkbox. Four were revised to collect additional information required by regulations, remove the need to submit a copy of the permit, and to no longer require a separate form for each transfer. The revisions do not change the burden hours or costs of these forms. One form that was inadvertently omitted has been added and does not significantly increase the burden or cost for this information collection.

This information collection contains the forms used by IFQ Program participants to apply for, renew, or replace permits; transfer or lease IFQ and quota share (QS); determine compliance with IFQ Program requirements; and designate a beneficiary. Some are also used by participants in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. Also included are annual reports and other collections submitted by methods that do not use a form.

This information collection is necessary to manage the IFQ Program and is required to manage commercial halibut and sablefish fishing under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Halibut Act, and regulations at 50 CFR parts 300 and 679. NMFS uses the information to identify and authorize participants in the halibut and sablefish fisheries, to track and transfer quota share, to limit transfers to authorized participants, and to monitor quota share balances and harvest in these fisheries.

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 International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and NMFS Alaska Region manage fishing for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) through regulations established under the authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, 16 U.S.C. 773c (Halibut Act). The IPHC promulgates regulations governing the halibut fishery under the Convention between the United States Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention). Regulations pursuant to the Convention are set forth at 50 CFR 300 subpart E.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), under the authority of the Halibut Act (with respect to Pacific halibut) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; Magnuson-Stevens Act) (with respect to sablefish), manages the fixed gear Pacific halibut and sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program. NMFS Alaska Region administers the IFQ Program. Regulations implementing the IFQ Program are set forth at 50 CFR part 679. The specific regulations for the information collection requirements are provided under the response to question #2.

The IFQ Program provides a limited access system for Pacific halibut in Convention waters in and off Alaska and sablefish fisheries in waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska. Fishing under the IFQ Program began on March 15, 1995, ending the open-access fisheries that preceded its implementation.

NMFS and the Council developed the IFQ Program to reduce fishing capacity that had increased during years of management as an open-access fishery. The IFQ Program provides coastal Alaska communities a source of revenue, while maintaining the social and economic character of the fixed-gear sablefish and halibut fisheries. The IFQ Program provides economic stability for these fisheries while reducing many of the conservation and management problems commonly associated with open-access fisheries. The IFQ Program includes several provisions, such as ownership caps and vessel use caps that protect small producers, part-time participants, and entry-level participants that otherwise could be adversely affected by excessive consolidation.

Participation in the IFQ Program is limited to persons that hold quota share (QS), although there are several very limited provisions for “leasing” of annual IFQ. QS is a transferable permit that was initially issued to persons who owned or leased vessels that made legal commercial fixed-gear landings of Pacific halibut or sablefish in the waters off Alaska during 1988, 1989, or 1990. Currently, QS may only be obtained through transfer.

Annually, NMFS issues eligible QS holders an IFQ fishing permit that authorizes participation in the IFQ fisheries. IFQ permit holders may harvest their annual allocation at any time during the annual IFQ season, which extends approximately from March through November 15. This allows permit holders to set their own pace and fishing effort.

More information on the IFQ Program is provided on the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/pacific-halibut-and-sablefish-individual-fishing-quota-ifq-program.

Some of the collection instruments in this information collection are used by participants in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. The purpose of the CDQ Program is to provide eligible western Alaska villages with the opportunity to participate and invest in fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI); to support economic development in western Alaska; to alleviate poverty and provide economic and social benefits for residents of western Alaska; and to achieve sustainable and diversified local economies in western Alaska. In fitting with these goals, NMFS allocates a portion of the annual catch limits for a variety of commercially valuable marine species in the BSAI to the CDQ Program. Pacific halibut is one of these species. More information on the CDQ Program is provided on the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/community-development-quota-cdq-program. Information collection requirements for the CDQ Program are approved under OMB Control Number 0648-0269.

This information collection is necessary to manage the IFQ Program and is required to manage commercial halibut and sablefish fishing under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Halibut Act, and under 50 CFR parts 300 and 679. This information is used to identify and authorize participants in the halibut and sablefish fisheries, to track and transfer quota share, to limit transfers to authorized participants, and to monitor quota share balances and harvest in these fisheries.

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.

The table below summarizes information about the components in this information collection. The table has been updated to show that many may now be submitted electronically. The forms are available on the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/alaska-ifq-halibut-sablefish-and-cdq-halibut-program-fishery-applications-and-reporting. Minor editorial changes have been made to the forms to increase clarity and improve consistency with NMFS RAM’s other applications. Additional information on the requirements in this collection, including more substantive changes to the forms, are provided in the subsections below.

Item #	Requirement	Regulation	Form?	Submission Method	Frequency of collection	Needs and Uses
1	Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ	50 CFR 679.41(d)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	One time	Used by persons applying to receive quota share (QS) or individual fishing quota (IFQ) by transfer to obtain a Transfer Eligibility Certificate. Used by NMFS to determine eligibility to receive quota share or individual fishing quota by transfer.
2	Quota Share (QS) Holder: Identification of Ownership Interest	50 CFR 679.42	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	Annually	Used by corporations, partnerships, associations, and other non-individual entities that hold QS under the IFQ Program to submit information on their ownership interest. Used by NMFS to determine compliance with IFQ requirements.
3	Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit	50 CFR 679.4(d)(2) and (e)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	As needed	Used by the applicant to obtain hired masters by IFQ permit holders in the IFQ Program and by CDQ permit holders in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program. Used by NMFS to determine the eligibility of the IFQ permit holder to use a hired master and to issue the hired master permit if approved.
4	Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer (RB) Permit	50 CFR 679.4(d)(3)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email; Online (eFISH) if renewing or amending the permit.	Annually or as needed	Used by the applicant to apply for, amend, or renew a registered buyer permit under the IFQ Program and the CDQ Program. Used by NMFS to determine the eligibility of the applicant to receive a registered buyer permit and to issue the permit if the application is approved.
5	Application for Transfer of QS	50 CFR 679.41(b) and (c)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	As needed	Used by a QS holder to apply to transfer Pacific halibut or sablefish QS. Used by NMFS to determine whether the transfer meets the regulatory requirements governing the buying and selling of QS and the leasing of IFQ.
6	Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)	50 CFR 679.41(b), (c), and (m)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	As needed	Used by a QS holder to apply to temporarily transfer Pacific halibut or sablefish QS. Used by NMFS to determine whether the transfer meets the regulatory requirements.
6a	(Emergency) Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)	50 CFR 679.41(b), (c), and (m)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	As needed	Used by a QS holder to apply to temporarily transfer Pacific halibut or sablefish QS when NMFS has promulgated emergency regulations authorizing temporary transfers and an emergency rule is in effect allowing the use of this form. Used by NMFS to determine whether the transfer meets the regulatory requirements.
7	Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Self Sweep-up	50 CFR 679.41(e)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	As needed	Used by QS holder to apply to combine two blocks of QS in the same vessel category that they currently hold. Used by NMFS to determine eligibility to combine the QS and to ensure that QS and IFQ are transferred in compliance with the regulations governing transfer of QS and IFQ.
8	Annual Report for CDQ IFQ Transfers	50 CFR 679.5(l)(10) and (w)	N	Mail, delivery, or email	Annually only in years in which the CDQ group received catcher vessel halibut IFQ by transfer	Used by a CDQ group in times of low halibut abundance to report the criteria used to select IFQ holders to receive IFQ transfers from, the criteria used to determine who can receive transferred IFQ, and the amount and type of IFQ transferred. Used by NMFS to determine compliance with program requirements.
9	Application for Medical Transfer of IFQ	50 CFR 679.42(d)(2)	Y	Mail, delivery, or email	As needed but not more than in any 3 of the previous 7 years for any medical condition	Used by QS holders not eligible to hire a skipper and who (or immediate family member) have a medical condition preventing them from fishing their catcher vessel IFQ to apply to temporarily transfer IFQ. Used by NMFS to determine that the applicant is eligible for the transfer and to transfer the IFQ derived from QS held by the applicant to an eligible QS holder.
10	QS/IFQ Beneficiary Designation Form	50 CFR 679.41(k)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	As needed	Used by QS holder to provide NMFS with the name of a designated beneficiary to receive survivorship transfer privileges in the event of the QS holder’s death. Used by NMFS to identify the designated beneficiary of a QS holder.
11	Appeals	15 CFR 906	N	Mail, delivery, or fax	As needed	Used by a QS holder who receives an Initial Administrative Determination to appeal an application denied by NMFS. Used by NMFS to assess information provided by the appellee in relation to a previous program application denial.
12	Application for Replacement of Certificates, Permits, or Licenses	50 CFR 679.4	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	As needed	Used by the applicant to request a replacement for a certificate, permit, or license that was previously issued by NMFS and that subsequently was lost, destroyed, or stolen. Used by NMFS to determine that the certificate, permit, or license that was previously issued by NMFS is eligible to be replaced and to replace that item.
13	IFQ Administrative Waiver	50 CFR 679.5	N	Toll-free number or marine radio	As needed	Used by an IFQ fisheries participant to request a waiver from one of three landing requirements or IFQ hired master on board requirement. Used by NMFS to determine whether to grant the waiver.
14	Prior Notice of Landing	50 CFR 679.5(l)(1)	N	Toll-free number	As needed	Used by vessel operator notify NMFS Office for Law Enforcement (NMFS OLE) prior to making a landing of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish. Used by NMFS manage and monitor halibut and sablefish harvests.
15	IFQ Departure Report	50 CFR 679.5(l)(4)	N	Toll-free number	As needed	Used by a vessel operator to notify NMFS OLE that they intend to make a landing of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or Crab Rationalization Program (CR) crab at any location other than in an IFQ regulatory area for halibut and sablefish or in a crab fishery for CR crab in the State of Alaska. Used by NMFS manage and monitor halibut, sablefish, and crab harvests.
16	Transshipment Authorization	50 CFR 679.5(l)(3)	N	Toll-free number	As needed	Used by a vessel operator to obtain authorization from NMFS OLE to transship processed IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR crab between vessels. Used by NMFS manage and monitor halibut, sablefish, and crab harvests.
17	Dockside Sales Receipt	50 CFR 679.5(g)(2)(iv)(C)	N	The Dockside Sales Receipt is given by the permit holder to the buyer; the mode of this receipt is up to the permit holder.	As needed	Used by a registered buyer conducting dockside sales to issue a receipt to each individual receiving IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish in lieu of a product transfer report. Used by NMFS OLE to monitor and inspect the shipment of IFQ fish to determine whether there was proper accounting for all IFQ fish landed.
18	Application for a Non-profit Corporation to be Designated as a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	50 CFR 679.41(n)(2)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	One time	Used by a non-profit corporation to apply to be designated as a Recreational Quota Entity in the IFQ Program. Used by NMFS to determine eligibility of the entity to be designated an RQE
19	Application for Transfer of Quota Share To or From a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	50 CFR 679.41(b)	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	As needed	Used by the RQE to apply to receive QS by transfer and to transfer QS. Used by NMFS to ensure that QS are transferred in compliance with regulations governing the buying and selling of QS.
20	Recreational Quota Entity Annual Report	50 CFR 679.5(v)	N	Mail, delivery, or email	Annually	Used by the RQE to report its administrative activities and business operation for each calendar year that it holds halibut recreational fishing quota and QS. Used by NMFS and the Council to determine compliance with RQE requirements and evaluate program effectiveness.
21	NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region eFISH On-line Services User Authorization Form	n/a	Y	Mail, delivery, fax, or email	As needed	Used by an eFISH account holder to authorize specific individuals to access that information. Used by NMFS to determine who is authorized to access an entity’s fisheries information in eFISH.

Revisions to this Collection Since the Last Extension

One change request has been approved for this collection since the last extension was approved by OMB in September 2021. OMB approved the change request in November 2021. This supporting statement has been updated to show these changes. The change request was submitted due to a final rule published by the NMFS Alaska Regional Office that removed the notary certification requirement for its applications (86 FR 70751, December 13, 2021). These applications included the following forms in this information collection:

• Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ

• Application for Transfer of QS

• Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)

• Application for Transfer of Quota Share To or From a Recreation Quota Entity (RQE)

• Application for a Non-profit Corporation to be Designated as a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)

The notary requirement was unnecessary and administratively burdensome on the fleet and NMFS. Removing the notary requirement streamlined the application process, reduced the cost of submitting applications to NMFS, and reduced the handling time necessary for NMFS to process and approve applications. The cost to the public for submitting these applications was reduced because the fee for a notary’s service was eliminated. No change was made to the estimated time burdens for these applications because the estimates allowed for differences in the time needed to complete and submit the forms. With the notary requirement removed, these applications were able to be submitted to NMFS by fax.

In addition to the changes due to the rule, one minor technical correction was made as part of this change request. Previous supporting statements incorrectly showed a notary cost for the Annual Report for CDQ IFQ Transfers. There is no form for this collection instrument and no notary requirement. This error was included in the information collection under which this report was originally approved (OMB Control No. 0648-0764), and the error had been carried forward.

1. Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ

Quota share represents a harvesting privilege for a person. Annually, NMFS issues IFQ to QS holders to harvest specified poundage. The specific amount of IFQ held by a person is determined by the number of QS units held, the total number of QS units issued in a specific regulatory area, and the total pounds of sablefish or halibut allocated for the IFQ fisheries in a particular year.

An applicant must be a United States (U.S.) citizen or U.S. corporation, partnership, or other non-individual business entity to receive QS/IFQ by transfer. Those persons applying to receive QS or IFQ by transfer must submit this application to obtain a Transfer Eligibility Certificate (TEC).

A person applies for eligibility only once. To be eligible, persons must have at least 150 days of experience working as part of a harvesting crew in any U.S. commercial fishery. Work in support of harvesting but not directly related to it is not considered harvesting crew work.

The Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ may be submitted by mail, delivery, fax, or email to NMFS, Alaska Region, Restricted Access Management (RAM).

The information collected on this application includes applicant identification and contact information; taxpayer identification number (employer identification number or social security number); and information on the applicant’s commercial fishing experience. If the applicant is a corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual entity, then the form “Quota Share (QS) holder: Identification of Ownership Interest” must be attached. This form is described below.

As part of this extension request, minor editorial changes are made to the application to increase clarity and improve consistency with NMFS RAM’s other applications.

2. Quota Share (QS) Holder: Identification of Ownership Interest

The Quota Share (QS) Holder: Identification of Ownership Interest form must be submitted annually to NMFS by corporations, partnerships, associations, and other non-individual entities that hold QS.

NMFS needs the requested information to determine compliance with IFQ Program requirements that include the following:

• determine if persons who hold QS have exceeded their allowable use limits under the “individually and collectively” language set out in the IFQ regulations at 50 CFR 679.42(e) and (f);

• determine if a corporation or partnership that holds catcher vessel QS has changed (i.e., the addition of a new member);

• identify first-time applicants;

• affirm an entity’s continuing existence;

• ensure corporations and partnerships are not erroneously issued annual IFQ resulting from the collectively held QS;

• determine indirect ownership of vessels for purposes of the hired master provisions of the IFQ Program.

An entity must notify NMFS of any change within 15 days of its effective date and must then transfer its QS to a qualified individual.

Proof of vessel ownership must be submitted by non-individual respondents each year. Federal regulations at 50 CFR 679.42(i) and (j) define acceptable proof of ownership as follows:

• For a documented vessel, owns a minimum 20-percent interest in the vessel as shown by the U.S. Abstract of Title issued by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) that lists the permit holder as an owner and, if necessary to prove the required percentage ownership, other written documentation;

• For an undocumented vessel, owns a minimum 20-percent interest in the vessel as shown by a State of Alaska vessel license or registration that lists the permit holder as an owner and, if necessary to show the required percentage ownership interest.

The information collected on this form includes the QS holder name, whether the business is a publicly held corporation, whether still active if it’s a non-individual entity, and, if it’s an estate that has been probated, the date probate was finalized. If ownership consists of separate or additional corporations or partnerships, the individual owners of those entities and the percentage of interest those individuals hold in their respective corporations/partnerships must be listed.

With this extension request, this form is revised to collect the NMFS ID number of the QS holder. Block A of the form is revised to add a field for the NMFS ID number, and the instructions are revised to state to provide this information.

3. Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit [Revised form to remove unnecessary checkbox]

Revision: The form for the Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit was revised to remove the checkbox for Sablefish Category D from Block B. This checkbox was not necessary because there is no category D in the sablefish fishery. This revisions does not change the burden hours or costs of this form.

A hired master permit is required for harvest of IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) halibut on behalf of an IFQ permit holder. Non-individual IFQ permit holders (corporations, partnerships, associations, and other non-individuals) must designate a hired master to fish their IFQ or obtain a permit to access their account. This application may be used to add or remove a hired master from an account.

To obtain a hired master, non-individual permit holders must own (either directly or indirectly) at least 20 percent of the vessel their hired master will use to fish the IFQ. The applicant must complete a separate application for each vessel, each IFQ permit number, and each CDQ permit number.

To demonstrate percent of vessel ownership by IFQ permit holder, documentation of ownership must be included with this application, except for Category A IFQ permit holders and CDQ permit holders.

• Proof of vessel ownership by the IFQ permit holder:

• For USCG documented vessels, a complete copy of the USCG Abstract of Title

• For an undocumented vessel, a copy of the State of Alaska vessel license or registration

• If the IFQ permit holder is not the person named on the USCG Abstract of Title or State of Alaska vessel license or registration, documentation establishing indirect ownership, such as corporate annual reports, meeting minutes, or stock certificates.

A hired master permit is in effect from the date of issue through the end of the specified fishing year.

The type of information collected on this application includes permit holder’s identification and contact information, the purpose for the application, information on the vessel on which the halibut or sablefish will be fished, information on ownership interest in the vessel, identification and contact information for the hired master, and exemption information.

4. Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer (RB) Permit

The Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer Permit is used to apply for, amend, or renew a registered buyer permit under the IFQ Program and the CDQ Program. A registered buyer permit authorizes the person identified on the permit to receive and make an IFQ landing by an IFQ permit holder or IFQ hired master permit holder, or to receive and make a CDQ halibut landing by a CDQ permit holder or CDQ hired master permit holder.

A registered buyer permit is required of the following:

• Any person who receives IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish from the person(s) who harvested the fish.

• Any person who harvests IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish and transfers such fish in a dockside sale, outside of an IFQ regulatory area, or outside the State of Alaska.

• A vessel operator who submits an IFQ Departure Report (This report is approved under this OMB control number and is described below.)

NMFS does not issue a registered buyer permit to entities receiving IFQ Pacific halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CDQ Pacific halibut at locations outside Alaska. In such cases, the vessel operator must be a registered buyer.

A registered buyer permit is non-transferable and is issued annually on request at no cost. Many registered buyers hold more than one permit.

A registered buyer permit is in effect from the first day of the year for which it is issued or from the date of issuance, whichever is later, through the end of the 1-year cycle that runs from March 1 through the last day of February, unless it is revoked, suspended, surrendered, or modified.

If renewing or amending the permit, the application may be submitted online using eFISH, the NMFS-approved electronic reporting system. If the application is submitted to NMFS online using eFISH, the NMFS Person ID, password, and transfer key take the place of a signature and certify that all information is true, correct, and complete.

Upon acceptance by NMFS of an online submission, the registered buyer may print a paper copy of the new permit and maintain this copy for inspection. NMFS will email or mail permits to applicants applying by email, mail, delivery, or fax.

For the application to be considered complete, all observer fees due to NMFS (see 50 CFR 679.55) must be paid. Observer fees are authorized under OMB control number 0648-0711.

The information collected on this application includes applicant identification and contact information, the activities that best describe the applicant’s anticipated registered buyer activity, the type of permit request, and if renewing or amending a permit, the registered buyer permit number.

5. Application for Transfer of QS [Revised form to collect additional information and to no longer require a separate application for each transfer.]

Revision: The following revisions were made to the form for the Application for Transfer of QS. A checkbox was added for “Paid IFQ Fees” to the checklist of items for a complete application. This helps identify what the applicant needs to ensure an application is complete. Block D was revised to collect the QS Group Number for the QS that is being transferred. The application already collected the QS group number into which this QS is to be combined. Collecting both QS group numbers is necessary for NMFS to accurately identify and transfer the QS to be transferred. Text was added to Block D to show that applicants may duplicate this block for additional QS being transferred for the same transferee and transferor. This change will allow the permit holder to submit one application for these transfers instead of multiple applications. Previously applicants needed to complete a separate application for each QS group being transferred. These revisions do not change the burden hours or costs of this form.

A QS holder uses the Application for Transfer of QS to transfer QS to a person eligible to receive QS. Any person that received QS/IFQ as an Initial Issue or that holds a Transfer Eligibility Certificate (TEC) is eligible to receive QS/IFQ by transfer.

An Application for Transfer of QS must be approved by the NMFS Regional Administrator before a person may use IFQ that results from a direct transfer to harvest IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish. The IFQ Program does not permit transfer of QS subject to any conditions of repossession or resale to the transferor except by court order, operation of law, or security agreement.

The information required by this application is necessary to ensure that QS and IFQ are transferred in compliance with the regulations governing the buying and selling of QS and the leasing of IFQ.

The information collected on this application includes transferor and transferee identification and contact information, identification of QS and IFQ to be transferred and the transaction information, and sweep-up or CDQ compensation information if applicable.

6. Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) [Revised form to collect additional information, remove the need to submit a copy of the IFQ Permit(s) to be transferred, and to no longer require a separate application for each transfer.]

Revision: The following revisions were made to the form for the Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ). The checklist at the beginning of the application was revised to remove the need to submit a copy of the IFQ permit to be transferred. Block D was revised to add additional fields to record IFQ to be temporarily transferred. This change will allow the permit holder to submit one application for their temporary transfers instead of multiple applications. Previously applicants needed to complete a separate application for each IFQ permit being temporarily transferred. Block E was revised to ask if a broker was used for the transaction, and if so, to collect the amount of the brokerage fee in either dollars or percent of total price. This revision was necessary to be consist with regulations at 50 CFR 679.42(d)(2)(iii)(D) that require the amount of fees paid for a complete application and with other NMFS Alaska region transfer forms that currently collect this information. These revisions do not change the burden hours or costs of this form.

IFQ is eligible to be temporarily transferred annually in limited regulatory exceptions. The Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota is used by QS holders to request any of four temporary transfers: Category A IFQ transfer, surviving beneficiary transfer, military service transfer, and transfer to CDQ groups in Areas 4B, 4C, or 4D in times of low halibut abundance.

Specific regulatory criteria must be met before any of these transfers are approved. A temporary IFQ transfer is valid only for the calendar year in which it is approved.

The information required by this application is necessary to ensure that IFQ are transferred in compliance with the regulations governing the buying, selling, or gifting of IFQ.

The information collected on this application includes transferor and transferee identification and contact information, type of temporary IFQ transfer requested, and identification of IFQ to be transferred and the transaction information. If the temporary transfer is a military transfer, then the QS holder must also answer Yes or No questions on whether they qualify to hire a master and whether they have been called to active service, and if yes, provide documentation of active military mobilization or deployment.

6a. (Emergency) Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) [Revised form to collect additional information, remove the need to submit a copy of the IFQ Permit(s) to be transferred, and to no longer require a separate application for each transfer.]

Revision: The same revisions made to the form for the Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) were made to the emergency version of this form. For information on the revisions, see the description of the revisions above for the Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ).

The emergency version of the Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota was approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0795 in an emergency approval on March 24, 2021, due to an emergency rule (86 FR 16542, March 30, 2021). The emergency rule added regulations to temporarily modify the IFQ Program to provide flexibility for QS holders to temporarily transfer their IFQ to an eligible individual for harvest during the remaining 2021 IFQ fishing season. OMB Control No. 0648-0795 was subsequently discontinued and merged into this information collection (OMB Control No. 0648-0272).

The emergency form was added to this information collection so that it will be available for use in future emergency situations. Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides authority for rulemaking to address an emergency. Use of this form will occur when NMFS promulgates emergency regulations authorizing temporary transfers to address an emergency consistent with section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This form may only be used when NMFS has issued an emergency rule to allow temporary transfer of IFQ, which then will allow the use of this form. This form will only be posted on the NMFS AKR website when an emergency rule is in effect allowing its use.

The emergency form collects the same information as the non-emergency form, with one exception. The emergency form includes a checkbox in Block A that is labelled “Temporary IFQ Transfer for the 20XX fishing year only” so that this form may be used in any year. QS holders will check this box to request the temporary transfer allowed under the emergency situation.

The estimates shown in the tables in Questions 12 and 13 represent the additional anticipated respondents, responses, burden hours, and costs that could result if there is an emergency.

7. Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Self Sweep-up

The Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Self Sweep-up is for use by a person who wishes to combine (sweep-up) two blocks. Blocked QS may be combined into one block if the total amount of QS being combined is less than or equal to established amounts of QS units per area. To be combined, QS must be in the same vessel category, and the resulting block size must not exceed the sweep-up limits.

The Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Self Sweep-up may be submitted to NMFS RAM by mail, delivery, or fax.

The information collected on this application includes the QS holder’s identification and contact information and information on the blocks of quota share to be combined.

8. Annual Report for CDQ IFQ Transfers

In years of low halibut catch limits in regulatory areas 4B and 4CDE, CDQ groups are allowed to lease halibut catcher vessel IFQ in regulatory areas 4B, 4C, and 4D. A CDQ group is required to submit an annual report for CDQ IFQ transfers only in years in which the CDQ group received catcher vessel halibut IFQ by transfer.

Any IFQ transferred to a CDQ group under this provision is available for use in conjunction with halibut CDQ and intended for use by residents that have traditionally harvested halibut CDQ. The annual report allows CDQ groups to demonstrate how this opportunity is benefiting its residents without the Council or NMFS needing to define who is a resident.

The reporting requirements at § 679.5(l)(10) and (w) require the CDQ groups to submit an annual report on the criteria used to select IFQ holders to receive IFQ transfers from, the criteria used to determine who can receive transferred IFQ, and the amount and type of IFQ transferred.

The report is submitted to NMFS and the Council through mail or email no later than January 31 after the transfer activity was completed. A CDQ group is not eligible to lease halibut IFQ until a timely and complete report is submitted. There is no form for this report.

This program is voluntary and is limited to small vessels (under 51 feet length overall). Since this program is implemented only in times of low halibut abundance and not all vessels will opt to participate, NMFS anticipates 0 respondents and responses at this time. However, in the long term, we expect an average 2 responses per year.

9. Application for Medical Transfer of IFQ [Revised form to collect additional information and to remove the need to submit a copy of the IFQ permit(s) to be transferred.]

Revision: The following revisions were made to the form for the Application for Medical Transfer of IFQ. The checklist at the beginning of the application was revised to remove the need to submit a copy of the IFQ permit to be transferred. Block E was revised to ask if a broker was used for the transaction, and if so, to collect the amount of the brokerage fee in either dollars or percent of total price. This revision was necessary to be consist with regulations at 50 CFR 679.42(d)(2)(iii)(D) that require the amount of fees paid for a complete application and with other NMFS Alaska Region transfer forms that currently collect this information. These revisions do not change the burden hours or costs of this form.

QS holders not eligible to hire a skipper and who (or an immediate family member) have a medical condition preventing them from fishing their catcher vessel IFQ may temporarily transfer their IFQ through the use of the medical transfer provision. This provision is intended to allow IFQ to be fished while the QS holder or their immediate family member has a short-term medical condition. For this reason, a written declaration from a health care provider is required, and the number of times a person may use a medical transfer for any medical condition is limited. NMFS will not approve a medical transfer if the applicant has received a medical transfer in any 3 of the previous 7 years for any medical condition. A medical transfer is valid only during the calendar year of the transfer.

The requirement for an IFQ permit holder to be aboard the vessel during fishing operations and to sign the IFQ landing report may be waived. A medical transfer may be approved if the applicant demonstrates that he or she is unable to participate in the IFQ fishery for which he or she holds IFQ—

• because of a severe medical condition that precludes participation; or

• because of a severe medical condition involving an immediate family member that requires the IFQ holder’s full time attendance.

The information collected on this application includes transferor and transferee identification and contact information; identification of the IFQ to be transferred and the transaction information; and a medical declaration, which is completed by a health care provider as defined at 50 CFR 679.2, that contains the providers identification and contact information and a brief description of the primary medical condition affecting the applicant or applicant’s family member that prevents the QS holder’s participation in the fishery for this calendar year.

10. QS/IFQ Beneficiary Designation Form

QS holders may provide NMFS with the name of a designated beneficiary to receive survivorship transfer privileges in the event of the QS holder’s death. A beneficiary is the surviving spouse or an immediate family member as defined at 50 CFR 679.2.

NMFS allows the transfer of IFQ only (lease) to the beneficiary by right of survivorship, for a period of 3 years following the death of the original QS holder. The information collected is necessary to provide temporary transfer privileges to the family of a deceased QS holder in the absence of a surviving spouse.

The information collected on this application includes the QS holder identification and contact information, beneficiary identification and contact information, and the relationship of the beneficiary to the QS holder.

11. Appeals

An appeals process is provided for a QS holder who receives an adverse initial administrative determination (IAD) related to their application. A QS holder may appeal this denial under the appeals procedures set out at 15 CFR 906.3.

Administrative appeals of adverse decisions made by NMFS Alaska Region must be submitted to the NMFS National Appeals Office (NAO) in Silver Spring, Maryland. The appeal may be submitted by fax (307-713-2384) or by mail or commercial carrier to National Appeals Office, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

The appeal must be filed not later than 45 days after the date the IAD is issued unless a shorter or longer filing timeframe is explicitly specified in the regulations governing the initial administrative determination.

Since 2015, one appeal has been filed, which was in 2019. For purposes of this analysis, one response is used in the tables in questions 12 and 13.

12. Application for Replacement of Certificates, Permits, or Licenses

This form is used by applicants to request a replacement for a certificate, permit, or license that was previously issued by NMFS and that subsequently was lost, destroyed, or stolen.

An Application for Replacement of Certificates, Permits, or Licenses may be submitted to NMFS RAM by mail, delivery, or fax.

13. IFQ Administrative Waiver

Participants in IFQ fisheries request an administrative waver by calling NOAA Office for Law Enforcement (NMFS OLE) using a NMFS-provided toll-free number or, in rare cases, by marine radio. No form exists for this waiver.

NMFS OLE completes the waiver to document the participant’s request for an administrative waiver from one of the following requirements. The waiver is granted at the discretion of the clearing officer:

• Six-hour Prior of Notice of Landing: issued to a vessel to land fish before the required 6 hours

• 12-hour IFQ Landing Window: issued to a vessel that lands fish after hours: after 1800 and before 0600

• Electronic Landing Report: issued due to eLandings failure

• IFQ hired master on board: issued for the IFQ hired master to not be on board in extreme personal emergencies

An IFQ Administrative Waiver collects the date and time of the waiver; the vessel name and ADF&G vessel registration number; all IFQ permit numbers; the Prior Notice confirmation number (if applicable); the registered buyer name and permit number (if applicable); and the requirement being waived.

14. Prior Notice of Landing (PNOL)

The operator of any vessel making an IFQ landing must submit a PNOL to NMFS OLE no fewer than 3 hours before landing IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish, unless permission to commence an IFQ landing within 3 hours of notification is granted by a clearing officer. No form exists for this item.

The operator of any vessel wishing to make an IFQ landing before the date and time (A.l.t.) reported in the PNOL or later than 2 hours after the date and time (A.l.t.) reported in the PNOL must submit a new PNOL.

Vessel operators call NMFS OLE using a toll-free number to submit a PNOL. A NMFS OLE data clerk types the data directly into the system. The system generates a PNOL confirmation number, which the data clerk provides to the fisherman.

The PNOL alerts the IPHC monitoring personnel and NMFS OLE personnel to legal landings. In addition, the submittal of a PNOL allows NMFS OLE—

• to query the IFQ data center to determine if the permit holder has enough IFQ pounds available in the account to cover the amount being landed;

• to observe the offload; and

• to monitor longline pot gear retrieval in the Gulf of Alaska.

Data on gear type are necessary to ensure compliance with the PNOL requirement because some reporting exemptions are gear-based.

• Halibut: An IFQ landing of halibut of 500 lb or less of IFQ weight and concurrent with a legal landing of salmon harvested using hand troll gear or power troll gear is exempt from the PNOL.

• Lingcod: An IFQ landing of halibut of 500 lb or less of IFQ weight and concurrent with a legal landing of lingcod harvested using dinglebar gear is exempt from the PNOL.

IPHC uses gear type data to assist with harvest monitoring. NMFS and the Council use gear information to project bycatch rates for non-IFQ fish in the IFQ fishery and support analyses for seasonal apportionments and other allocation proposals.

The following information is collected in the PNOL:

• Vessel Information (vessel name and ADF&G vessel registration number)

• Landing information

  • Port of landing and port code

  • Exact location of landing within the port (dock name, harbor name, facility name, or geographical coordinates)

  • Date and time (A.l.t.) that the landing will take place

• Species and estimated weight (lb) of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish that will be landed

• IFQ regulatory area(s) where IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish were harvested

• IFQ permit numbers used to land IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish

• Gear type used to harvest the IFQ sablefish or IFQ halibut

• If using longline pot gear in the Gulf of Alaska or pot gear in the BSAI, report the following:

  • number of pots set,

  • number of pots lost, and

  • number of pots left deployed on the fishing grounds.

• Comments

15. IFQ Departure Report

A vessel operator who intends to make a landing of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or Crab Rationalization Program (CR) crab at any location other than in an IFQ regulatory area for halibut and sablefish or in a crab fishery for CR crab in the State of Alaska must submit an IFQ Departure Report, by telephone, to NMFS OLE (800-304-4846 or 907-586-7163) between 0600 hours, A.l.t., and 2400 hours, A.l.t. No form exists for this report.

A vessel operator who intends to make an IFQ landing at a location different from the location named on the IFQ Departure report must submit a revised report naming the new location at least 12 hours in advance of the offload. Revisions must be submitted by telephone, to NMFS OLE (800-304-4846 or 907-586-7163) between the hours of 0600 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), and 2400 hours, A.l.t.

The IFQ Departure Report is submitted only after completion of all IFQ fishing and prior to departing the waters of the exclusive economic zone adjacent to the jurisdictional waters of the State of Alaska, the territorial sea of the State of Alaska, or the internal waters of the State of Alaska.

A vessel operator submitting an IFQ Departure Report for CR crab must have a Registered Crab Receiver permit.

A vessel operator submitting an IFQ Departure Report for IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish must have a registered buyer permit and must submit IFQ landing reports for all IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ sablefish on board at the same time and place as the first landing of any IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish.

An IFQ Departure Report collects the intended date, time (A.l.t.), and location of the landing; the vessel operator's name, vessel name, and ADF&G vessel registration number; halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, and Crab Rationalization Program crab permit numbers of IFQ and CDQ permit holders on board; Registered Buyer permit or Registered Crab Receiver permit number; area of harvest; and estimated total weight as appropriate of IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR crab on board (lb/kg/mt).

16. Transshipment Authorization

No person may transship processed IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR crab between vessels without authorization by a local clearing officer. Authorization from a local clearing officer must be obtained for each instance of transshipment at least 24 hours before the transshipment is intended to commence.

The authorization is requested from NMFS OLE by telephone at 800-304-4846. No form exists for this item.

To obtain a Transshipment Authorization, the vessel operator must provide the following information to the clearing officer: name, telephone number, fax number for person making the request; time and date of transshipment; location of transshipment; name and ADF&G vessel registration number of vessel offloading transshipment; name of vessel receiving the transshipment; product destination; species code and product type code; total product weight; and time (A.l.t.) and date of request.

17. Dockside Sales Receipt

The purpose of reporting the amount of IFQ fish involved in a dockside sale is to provide NMFS OLE with the ability to monitor and inspect the shipment of IFQ fish to determine whether there was proper accounting for all IFQ fish landed.

A person holding a valid IFQ permit or IFQ hired master permit, and a registered buyer permit may conduct a dockside sale of IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish with a person who has not been issued a registered buyer permit after all IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish have been landed and reported.

A person holding a valid halibut CDQ hired master permit and registered buyer permit may conduct a dockside sale of CDQ halibut with a person who has not been issued a registered buyer permit after all CDQ halibut have been landed and reported.

A registered buyer conducting dockside sales must issue a receipt to each individual receiving IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish in lieu of a product transfer report (see OMB control number 0648-0213). No form exists for this item.

The dockside sales receipt must include the following information: date of sale; registered buyer permit number; and weight by product of the IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or sablefish IFQ transferred.

18. Application for a Non-profit Corporation to be Designated as a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)

An RQE is authorized to purchase and hold a limited amount of commercial halibut quota share that will yield additional pounds of recreational fishing quota on an annual basis to augment the amount of halibut available for harvest in the charter halibut fishery. The RQE provides a mechanism for a compensated reallocation of a portion of commercial halibut quota share to the charter halibut fishery.

A non-profit organization that intends to establish itself as an RQE and participate in the IFQ Program must complete an Application for a Non-profit Entity to be Designated as a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE) for approval by NMFS. This application collects information necessary for NMFS to determine eligibility of the entity to be designated an RQE.

NMFS will approve only one entity as the RQE. Upon approval by NMFS, the RQE may buy, sell, and hold halibut QS in Areas 2C and 3A.

This application is due only once.

The application collects the applicant’s identification and contact information. It also requires the following attachments:

• the applicant’s articles of incorporation

• the applicant’s corporate by-laws

• list of applicant’s key personnel, including its Board of Directors, officers, representatives, and managers

• the applicant’s organizational chart or, at minimum, a written explanation that fully reveals the applicants line and staff responsibilities and relationships

19. Application for Transfer of Quota Share To or From a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)

An RQE is eligible to receive QS by transfer and to transfer QS. The Application for Transfer of Quota Share To or From a Recreational Quota Entity is used by an RQE to receive or transfer QS.

An RQE is limited to holding no more than 10 percent of the 2015 commercial QS pool in Area 2C and no more than 12 percent of the 2015 commercial QS pool in Area 3A. An RQE may not annually transfer more than 1 percent of the commercial QS units in Area 2C or more than 1.2 percent of the commercial QS units in Area 3A based on the 2015 QS pool.

An RQE may not purchase any D class QS in Area 3A and may not purchase more than 10 percent of the D class QS in Area 2C based on the D class QS pool in 2015. An RQE is also limited to purchasing no more than 10 percent of the B class QS in Area 2C based on the B class QS pool in 2015.

If an RQE transfers QS to another person, the quota class and block designation of the QS is retained. Any person that holds a TEC is eligible to receive QS by transfer from the RQE. The IFQ Program does not permit transfer of QS subject to any conditions of repossession or resale to the transferor except by court order, operation of law, or security agreement.

This application collects information necessary for NMFS to ensure that QS are transferred in compliance with regulations governing the buying and selling of QS.

The information collected on this application includes transferor and transferee identification and contact information; identification of the QS to be transferred and the transaction information; information on combining the QS combined into an existing block, if applicable; and vessel length category designation for catcher vessel CDQ compensation QS, if applicable.

20. Recreational Quota Entity Annual Report

The RQE must submit a complete annual report on its administrative activities and business operation for each calendar year that it holds halibut recreational fishing quota (RFQ) and QS. The RQE may combine annual reports on its holdings of halibut QS and RFQ for IFQ regulatory areas 2C and 3A into one report. The RQE must submit annual report data for the halibut QS and RFQ it held during the calendar year.

The RQE is not required to submit an annual report for any calendar year in which it did not hold any halibut QS or RFQ.

The annual report must be submitted to the NMFS Alaska Regional Administrator and to the Council by January 31 for the prior calendar year. There is no form for this annual report.

A complete RQE Annual Report contains the following information.

• General report requirements:

  • Any changes to the bylaws, board of directors, or other key management personnel of the RQE from the preceding year;

  • Amount and description of annual administrative expenses;

  • Amount and description of funds spent on conservation and research, including a summary of the results of those expenditures; and

  • Amount and description of all other expenses incurred by the RQE.

• Information specific to IFQ regulatory areas 2C and 3A—For each IFQ regulatory area represented by the RQE, the RQE must annually report the following information:

  • The total amount of halibut QS by category and blocks held by the RQE at the start of the calendar year, on October 1, and at the end of the calendar year;

  • A list of all transfers (purchases or sales) of halibut QS, including the transaction price; and

  • A description of the number of charter halibut permits and number of angler endorsements purchased and held by the RQE.

21. NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region eFISH On-line Services User Authorization Form [ADDED]

The previous supporting statements inadvertently omitted the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region eFISH On-line Services User Authorization Form. This supporting statement adds this component. The eFISH authorization form is not expected to significantly increase the burden or cost for this information collection.

The NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region eFISH On-line Services User Authorization Form is used by persons holding eFISH accounts to authorize specific individuals to access that information. eFISH account holders may also update their eFISH account information by emailing NFMS eFISH support staff at [email protected] or by sending a written request to NMFS AKR/RAM, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, Alaska 99802. Use of the form ensures that NMFS receives the information it needs to determine an individual who is authorized to access an entity’s fisheries information in eFISH (i.e., an Authorized User) and to provide the individual with access.

eFISH is NMFS’ online portal at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login.

This on-line services portal provides the eFISH account holders (e.g., permit holders, cooperative managers, Western Alaska Community Development Group (CDQ) group managers, vessel owners, processors) with access to a variety of self-service features. eFish is the authorized portal for submission of a variety of required reports and for making cost recovery or observer fee payments.

The form collects identification and contact information for the eFISH account holder and the individuals requested to be authorized to access the account. The account holder must indicate the level of authorization for each individual that will have access to their account information. Authorized User designations are as follows:

• Basic: This user may perform functions in eFISH that do not require elevated privileges, such as printing a copy of a permit, accessing account balances, renewing permits, or paying fees. It does not include the authority to transfer cooperative quota or crab individual processing quota.

• Transfers: This user is authorized to conduct transfers of cooperative quota, CDQ allocations, or crab individual processing quota in addition to the Basic user functions.

• Administrator: This user may perform any functions in eFISH that the permit holder is authorized for.

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.

Most of the components of this collection may now be submitted electronically; therefore, the percentage of electronic filings is expected to increase. The table at the beginning of question #2 shows how each instrument in this collection may be submitted.

Forms may be completed electronically by the participant, downloaded, printed, and then mailed, faxed, or emailed to NMFS. All of the application forms are available as fillable pdfs posted on the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/alaska-ifq-halibut-sablefish-and-cdq-halibut-program-fishery-applications-and-reporting. The emergency version of the Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota will only be posted when an emergency rule is in effect allowing its use.

Registered buyers may use eFISH to renew or amend their registered buyer permit. QS holders may use eFISH to print a copy of their IFQ annual permit, IFQ hired master permit, and IFQ registered buyer permit. eFISH is the NMFS Alaska Region online Fisheries Information System. eFISH provides an online method to submit applications and access to participants’ NMFS permit accounts. eFISH allows participants to renew certain fishery permits; report landings; print certificates or permits; conduct quota transfers; pay fees and submit landing value reports; and check account balances, vessel balances, and landing ledger reports. 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 Alaska Region is working toward offering more online services. The current data entry and retrieval system is nearing the end of its life, and a new integrated system is in development. As this system is developed, we will be transitioning to the new system which will allow the applications to be submitted and processed electronically.

A toll-free telephone number is used to submit information for the IFQ administrative waiver, prior notice of landing, IFQ departure report, and transshipment authorization. Dockside sales receipts are given by the permit holder to the buyer, and the mode of this receipt is up to the permit holder.

Administrative appeals may not be submitted electronically because the National Appeals Office requires submission of documents by fax, mail, or delivery to provide the appropriate record for legal proceedings.

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

None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other collections. This information collection is part of a specialized and technical program that is not like any other. Federal regulations specify use of this information collection to administer the IFQ Program, and there are not alternate means or methods to perform the functions laid out in this supporting statement.

In general, Alaska Region information collections are prepared and reviewed by staff familiar with all of the information collection requirements for the region. Staff work together to develop information collection requirements for new programs. In addition, NMFS staff work closely with the staff of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the International Pacific Halibut Commission to reduce duplication in information collection requirements to the extent possible given overlapping jurisdictions and complex fisheries. Senior staff at the Alaska Region, NMFS headquarters, and the Department of Commerce General Counsel review all new and revised information collection requirements that are associated with rulemakings. This process minimizes the potential for duplication of information collection requirements for participants in the Federal fisheries off Alaska.

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

NMFS attempts to minimize the burden of this collection on all respondents by collecting only information necessary to manage the IFQ Program, by providing and supporting the online data collection and reporting systems eFISH and eLandings, and by providing help to participants by phone and online. eFISH and eLandings include online help options and user guides at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/services. In addition, NMFS maintains a help/support call center with contractors available by phone Monday through Friday.

Additionally, most of the elements in this information collection are available online as fillable pdfs. A toll-free phone number is available for participants to contact NMFS RAM for help or information on these elements.

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.

This information collection is required to manage the IFQ Program and manage commercial halibut and sablefish fishing under the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.), the Halibut Act, and under 50 CFR parts 300 and 679.

It would not be possible to effectively manage the IFQ Program or carry out the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Halibut Act if this collection were not conducted or conducted less frequently.

The lack of adequate information to manage the IFQ Program would result in the fishery management decision-making process being less objective, more political, and potentially less equitable. This would decrease the credibility of the fishery management process and result in an unnecessarily costly and ineffective management system. The cost of making decisions based on inadequate information would adversely affect the viability of the IFQ fishing industry.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

One collection may require respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly. A Prior Notice of Landing (PNOL) must be submitted by the required time before landing IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or IFQ sablefish, which could result in information being submitted more often than quarterly. NMFS uses this information to manage and monitor halibut and sablefish harvests.

This collection does not require respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it.

This collection does not require respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document.

This collection does not require respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in- aid, or tax records for more than three years.

This collection is not in connection with a statistical survey that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study.

This collection does not require the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB.

This collection does not include a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use.

This collection does not require respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

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 April 5, 2024 (89 FR 23987), solicited public comments. The comment period ended on June 4, 2024. In addition to the Federal Register notice, NMFS contacted nine permit holders to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format, and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. No comments were received from the permit holders contacted directly or from the Federal Register notice.

NMFS RAM staff interacts often with IFQ participants, answering questions and providing information on the applications and permits. Through their interactions, NMFS RAM staff may receive unsolicited comments from participants on the cost and hour burden and the availability of data; frequency of collection; the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format; and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

As a result of the unsolicited comments from the public, NMFS has made editorial changes to the forms in this collection to increase clarity and make it easier for the respondents to know how to complete the applications.

Since the last extension of this collection in 2021, information collection requirements in this collection have been updated due to a rule originating from a Council action (86 FR 70751, December 13, 2021). Through the Council and rulemaking processes, the affected entities have had opportunities to comment on the components of this collection and any proposed changes to them. Any comments received on those components of this collection have been described in the supporting statements and final rule for that action.

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

No payment or gift is provided to the respondents.

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.

The Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ collects an applicant’s taxpayer identification number (TIN). A TIN may be an applicant’s social security number (SSN), which is sensitive personal identifiable information (PII). This form is used by persons to obtain a Transfer Eligibility Certificate (TEC).

Although a TIN is not required to issue a TEC, NMFS must collect and store an entity’s TIN for the purpose of complying with the Debt Collection Act of 1996. All potential IFQ QS holders may incur a debt to the government because of fee liabilities charged under the IFQ Program cost recovery fee program authorized under section 304(d)(2)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and implemented by regulations at 50 CFR 679.45. Therefore, NMFS must collect and store every IFQ QS holder’s TIN.

Because an SSN is sensitive PII, NMFS strives to reduce the number of times a QS holder’s TIN must be submitted to NMFS. If the TIN was not collected on the Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ, it would need to be collected on more forms.

As the Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ is the form used to first establish an entity's user profile in the NMFS database, the submission of a TIN on any subsequent application forms is not necessary. Once a TIN is submitted to NMFS on this form, NMFS establishes a NMFS ID and stores the associated TIN in the electronic application management system. For subsequent application forms, issuance of permits, or transfers, the use of the applicant’s NMFS ID associates all transactions with the previously collected TIN making it unnecessary for applicants to submit a TIN to NMFS on other IFQ Program application forms.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

The hourly wage rates are based on U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) mean hourly wage rates (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm) for Alaska. The rates have been updated to use the most current BLS rates available (May 2023) and to improve consistency in the rates used for the same respondent types in NMFS Alaska Region information collections. The wage rate estimate of $24.21 is the BLS rate for Occupation Code 45-0000 (Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations). The other hourly wage rates are identified in the notes at the end of the table. Burden and wage rate estimates are updated and revised when new rates are available and when public comment supports doing so.

Information Collection	Type of Respondent (e.g., Occupational Title)	# of Respondents/year (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)	Hourly Wage Rate (for Type of Respondent) (f)	Total Annual Wage Burden Costs (g) = (e) x (f)
Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ	QS/IFQ holders	108	1	108	2 hrs	216	24.21	5,229
Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit	IFQ permit holders; CDQ permit holders	580	1	580	1 hr	580	24.21	14,042
Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer (RB) Permit	registered buyers	258	1	258	30 minutes	129	24.21	3,123
QS/IFQ Beneficiary Designation Form	QS/IFQ holders	15	1	15	30 minutes	8	24.21	194
Quota Share (QS) Holder: Identification of Ownership Interest	QS holders	57	1	57	2 hrs	114	24.21	2,760
Application for Replacement of Certificates, Permits, or Licenses	permit and license holders	20	1	20	30 minutes	10	24.21	242
IFQ Administrative Waiver	IFQ permit holders	258	avg. 1.5	390	6 minutes	39	24.21	944
Prior Notice of Landing	vessel operators	2,703	avg. 2.3	6,220	15 minutes	1,555	24.21	37,647
IFQ Departure Report	vessel operators	27	1	27	15 minutes	7	24.21	169
Transshipment Authorization	vessel operators	1	1	1	12 minutes	1	24.21	24
Dockside Sales Receipt	registered buyers	258	5	1,290	6 minutes	129	24.21	3,123
Application for Medical Transfer of IFQ	IFQ permit holders; health care provider	1,4405	1	480	1.5 hrs	2,1605	34.655	74,844
Application for a Non-profit Corporation to be Designated as a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	RQE representative	06	1	0	200 hrs	0	46.837	0
Application for Transfer of Quota Share To or From a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	RQE representative	219	1	20	2 hrs	801	37.028	2,962
Recreational Quota Entity Annual Report	RQE representative	1	1	1	40 hrs	40	49.837	1,993
Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)	IFQ holders; CDQ group representatives	1,0001	1	500	2 hrs	2,0001	40.752	81,500
Annual Report for CDQ IFQ Transfers	CDQ group representatives	2	1	2	40 hrs	80	57.284	4,582
Application for Transfer of QS	QS holders	7361	1	368	2 hrs	1,4721	24.21	35,637
Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Self Sweep-up	QS/IFQ holders	6	1	6	2 hrs	12	24.21	291
Appeals	QS holders	1	1	1	4 hrs	4	24.21	97
(Emergency) Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing	IFQ holders; CDQ group representatives	1,3001, 3	1	6503	2 hrs	2,6001, 3	40.752	105,950
NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region eFISH On-line Services User Authorization Form	permit holders, cooperative managers, CDQ group managers, vessel owners, processors	5	1	5	30 minutes	3	40.752	122
Totals				10,999		11,239		$375,475

¹ The application is completed by two respondents: the transferor and the transferee. As each respondent is expected to have burden hours in responding, the total annual burden equals 2 respondents x Total # of Annual Responses (application forms submitted) x Burden Hours per Response.

² The wage rate used is an average of $24.21 and the wage rate used for CDQ group representatives (see note #4 below). $40.75 = ($24.21 + 57.28)/2.

³ The estimates represent the additional anticipated respondents, responses, burden hours, and costs that could result if there is an emergency.

⁴ The CDQ group representative wage rate is the BLS mean hourly wage estimate for Occupation Code 11-9121 (Natural Sciences Managers) for Alaska.

⁵ The application is completed by three respondents: the transferor, the transferee, and the health care provider. As each respondent is expected to have burden hours in responding, the total annual burden equals 3 respondents x Total # of Annual Responses (application forms submitted) x Burden Hours per Response. The wage rate used was determined as follows: $34.65 = ($24.21 *2 [transferor and transferee] + $55.54 [healthcare provider])/3. The healthcare provider rate is the BLS mean hourly wage estimate for Occupation Code 29-0000 (Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations) for Alaska.

⁶ This application is not expected to be used because the RQE has been established and is not expected to change during this renewal period.

⁷ The RQE representative wage rate is the mean hourly wage rate estimate for Occupation Code 15-2031 (Operations Research Analysts) for Alaska.

⁸ The wage rate used is an average of $24.21 and the wage rate used for the RQE representative (see note #7 above). $37.02 = ($24.21 + 49.83)/2.

⁹ The application is completed by two respondents, the transferor and the transferee. The RQE will always be one of the respondents.

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).

Operating costs account for the typical inclusive general office services packages that include expenses for internet, email, fax, copying, mailing, and printing. Some participants in the IFQ Program submit more than one instrument in this information collection. Therefore, the number of unique respondents is used to show the estimated number of individual participants who are expected to annually submit information during the renewal period for this information collection. The estimated number of unique respondents consist of the following: 2,697 IFQ permit holders, 258 registered buyers, 6 CDQ permit holders, 480 health care providers, and 1 RQE.

Information Collection	# of Respondents/year (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 Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ	108	1	108	Operating costs - $5	540
Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit	580	1	580	Operating costs - $5	2,900
Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer (RB) Permit	258	1	258	Operating costs - $5	1,290
QS/IFQ Beneficiary Designation Form	15	1	15	Operating costs - $5	75
Quota Share (QS) Holder: Identification of Ownership Interest	57	1	57	Operating costs - $5	285
Application for Replacement of Certificates, Permits, or Licenses	20	1	20	Operating costs - $5	100
IFQ Administrative Waiver	258	avg. 1.5	390	0	0
Prior Notice of Landing	2,703	avg. 2.3	6,220	0	0
IFQ Departure Report	27	1	27	0	0
Transshipment Authorization	1	1	1	0	0
Dockside Sales Receipt	258	5	1,290	0	0
Application for Medical Transfer of IFQ	1,440	1	480	Operating costs - $5	7,2003
Application for a Non-profit Corporation to be Designated as a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	05	—	0	Operating costs - $5	0
Application for Transfer of Quota Share To or From a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	21	1	20	Operating costs - $5	1056
Recreational Quota Entity Annual Report	0	1	0	Operating costs - $5	5
Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)	1,000	1	500	Operating costs - $5	5,0001
Annual Report for CDQ IFQ Transfers	2	1	2	Operating costs - $5	10
Application for Transfer of QS	736	1	368	Operating costs - $5	3,6801
Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Self Sweep-up	6	1	6	Operating costs - $5	30
Appeals	1	1	1	$505 (Operating costs - $5 Attorney - $5004)	505
(Emergency) Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing	1,300	1	6502	Operating costs - $5	6,5001
NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region eFISH On-line Services User Authorization Form	5	1	5	Operating costs - $5	25
TOTALS	3,442 unique respondents		10,999		28,250

¹ The application is completed by two respondents, the transferor and the transferee. As each respondent is expected to have some operating costs in responding, the total annual cost equals 2 respondents x Total # of Annual Responses x $5 operating costs.

² The estimates represent the additional anticipated respondents, responses, burden hours, and costs that could result if there is an emergency.

³ The application is completed by three respondents: the transferor, the transferee, and the health care provider. As each respondent is expected to have some operating costs in responding, the total annual cost equals 3 respondents x Total # of Annual Responses x $5 operating costs.

⁴ 4 hours of attorney time at $125 per hour

⁵ This application is not expected to be used during this renewal period because the RQE has been established and is not expected to change.

⁶ The application is completed by two respondents, the transferor and the transferee. The RQE will always be one of the respondents. As the RQE and each of the other respondents are expected to have operating costs in responding, the total annual cost equals 21 respondents x $5 operating costs.

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 IFQ 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 IFQ 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 IFQ Program.

The direct program costs for the IFQ Program in 2023 were $4,856,041.

The following are examples of the types of tasks that were included under the 2023 IFQ direct program costs:

• analysis and rulemaking activities; in particular, an amendment identifying several measures associated with IFQ pot gear and an exception to Adak residency requirements, and a temporary rule to remove limits on the maximum amount of halibut individual fishing quota (IFQ) that may be harvested by a vessel, commonly known as vessel use caps, in IFQ regulatory Areas 4A (Eastern Aleutian Islands), 4B (Central and Western Aleutian Islands), 4C (Central Bering Sea), and 4D (Eastern Bering Sea).

• maintenance of the electronic reporting systems, including the catch accounting system

• programming, web design, and maintenance of online applications

• issuance of annual IFQ permits, registered buyer permits, hired master permits, and

• responding to questions about those permits

• processing transfers of QS and/or IFQ. This includes medical transfers, transfers with right of survivorship, and Guided Angler Fish transfers. Processing transfers also includes responding to questions about the transfers.

• producing an annual transfer report

• determining standard ex-vessel prices using value and volume reports submitted by IFQ Registered Buyers

• fee determination and collection process

• port sampling (IPHC), primarily personnel costs, but also includes travel and supplies

• processing North Pacific IFQ loan program applications

• inspections, boardings, investigations, outreach and education, and compliance assistance is done by officers and agents. Additionally, a staff of data technicians are contracted annually for 7-day per week processing of required reports, such as Product Transfer, Prior Notice of Landing, IFQ Departure, IFQ Overage, and Vessel Activity Reports.

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

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 Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ	108	108	108	108	216	216	No change
Quota Share (QS) Holder: Identification of Ownership Interest	57	57	57	57	114	114	No change
Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit	580	580	580	580	580	580	No change
Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer (RB) Permit	258	258	258	258	129	129	No change
Application for Transfer of QS	736	736	368	368	1,472	1,472	No change
Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)	1,000	1,000	500	500	2,000	2,000	No change
(Emergency) Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)	1,300	1,300	650	650	2,600	2,600	No change
Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Self Sweep-up	6	6	6	6	12	12	No change
Annual Report for CDQ IFQ Transfers	2	2	2	2	80	80	No change
Application for Medical Transfer of IFQ	1,440	1,440	480	480	2,160	2,160	No change
QS/IFQ Beneficiary Designation Form	15	15	15	15	8	8	No change
Appeals	1	1	1	1	4	4	No change
Application for Replacement of Certificates, Permits, or Licenses	20	20	20	20	10	10	No change
IFQ Administrative Waiver	258	258	390	390	39	39	No change
Prior Notice of Landing	2,703	2,703	6,220	6,220	1,555	1,555	No change
IFQ Departure Report	27	27	27	27	7	7	No change
Transshipment Authorization	1	1	1	1	1	1	No change
Dockside Sales Receipt	258	258	1,290	1,290	129	129	No change
Application for a Non-profit Corporation to be Designated as a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	0	1	0	0	0	0	This application is not expected to be submitted during this renewal period because the RQE has been established and is not expected to change.
Application for Transfer of Quota Share To or From a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	21	21	20	20	80	80	No change
Recreational Quota Entity Annual Report	1	1	1	1	10	40	No change
NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region eFISH On-line Services User Authorization Form	5	—	5	—	3	—	Was inadvertently omitted and has been added to this collection.
Total for Collection	3,4421	3,4422	10,999	10,995	11,239	11,236
Difference	0		4 (adjustment)		3 (adjustment)

¹ Unique respondents. Some participants in the IFQ Program submit more than one instrument in this information collection. Therefore, the number of unique respondents is used to show the estimated number of individual participants who are expected to annually submit information during the renewal period for this information collection. The estimated number of unique respondents consist of the following: 2,697 IFQ permit holders, 258 registered buyers, 6 CDQ permit holders, 480 health care providers, and 1 RQE.

² The number of unique respondents was reported as 3,441 in the previous supporting statement but should have been 3,442.

Information Collection	Labor Costs		Miscellaneous Costs		Reason for change or adjustment
	Current	Previous	Current	Previous
Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ	5,229	5,925	540	1,620	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available. Misc. costs (previous Program Change): This extension incorporates the 2021 change request for the rule that removed the notary requirement for this application and reduced its miscellaneous costs.
Quota Share (QS) Holder: Identification of Ownership Interest	2,760	3,127	285	285	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Application for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit	14,042	15,909	2,900	2,900	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Application for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer (RB) Permit	3,123	3,538	1,290	1,290	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Application for Transfer of QS	35,637	40,377	3,680	11,040	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available. Misc. costs (previous Program Change): This extension incorporates the 2021 change request for the rule that removed the notary requirement for this application and reduced its miscellaneous costs.
Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)	81,500	54,860	5,000	15,000	Labor costs (Adjustment): The hourly wage rates were updated to use the most current BLS wage rates available and to improve consistency in the rates used for the same respondent types in NMFS Alaska Region information collections. Misc. costs (previous Program Change): This extension incorporates the 2021 change request for the rule that removed the notary requirement for this application and reduced its miscellaneous costs.
(Emergency) Application for Temporary Transfer of Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)	105,950	71,318	6,500	6,500	Labor costs (Adjustment): The hourly wage rates were updated to use the most current BLS wage rates available and to improve consistency in the rates used for the same respondent types in NMFS Alaska Region information collections.
Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Self Sweep-up	291	329	30	30	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Annual Report for CDQ IFQ Transfers	4,582	2,194	10	30	Labor costs (Adjustment): The hourly wage rates were updated to use the most current BLS wage rates available and to improve consistency in the rates used for the same respondent types in NMFS Alaska Region information collections. Misc. costs (previous Program Change): This extension incorporates the 2021 change request for the rule that removed the notary requirement for this application and reduced its miscellaneous costs.
Application for Medical Transfer of IFQ	74,844	76,918	7,200	7,200	Labor costs (Adjustment): The hourly wage rates were updated to use the most current BLS wage rates available and to improve consistency in the rates used for the same respondent types in NMFS Alaska Region information collections.
QS/IFQ Beneficiary Designation Form	194	219	75	75	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Appeals	97	110	505	505	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Application for Replacement of Certificates, Permits, or Licenses	242	274	100	100	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
IFQ Administrative Waiver	944	1,070	0	0	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Prior Notice of Landing	37,647	42,654	0	0	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
IFQ Departure Report	169	192	0	0	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Transshipment Authorization	24	27	0	0	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Dockside Sales Receipt	3,123	3,538	0	0	Labor costs (Adjustment): Updated to use most current BLS wage rates available.
Application for a Non-profit Corporation to be Designated as a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	0	0	0	0	This application is not expected to be used because the RQE has been established and is not expected to change during this renewal period.
Application for Transfer of Quota Share To or From a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE)	2,962	2,194	105	315	Labor costs (Adjustment): The hourly wage rates were updated to use the most current BLS wage rates available and to improve consistency in the rates used for the same respondent types in NMFS Alaska Region information collections. Misc. costs (previous Program Change): This extension incorporates the 2021 change request for the rule that removed the notary requirement for this application and reduced its miscellaneous costs.
Recreational Quota Entity Annual Report	1,993	1,097	5	5	Labor costs (Adjustment): The hourly wage rates were updated to use the most current BLS wage rates available and to improve consistency in the rates used for the same respondent types in NMFS Alaska Region information collections.
NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region eFISH On-line Services User Authorization Form	122	—	25	—	This form was inadvertently omitted and has been added to this collection.
Total for Collection	$375,475	$325,870	$28,250	$46,895
Difference	$49,605 (adjustment)		- $18,645 (- $18,670 previous program change; $25 adjustment)

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.

NMFS publishes some information from this collection on the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/commercial-fishing/permits-and-licenses-issued-alaska, including lists of registered buyers (business name and address, NMFS ID, registered buyer permit number); QS holders (business name and address, species, regulatory area, and number of QS units); persons eligible to receive QS by transfer (business name and address, NMFS ID); and sweepable QS blocks by species, area, and vessel category (QS holder, NMFS ID, and business address).

Final administrative appeal decisions with redactions are posted on the NMFS National Appeals Office website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/rules-regulations/appeals. Personally identifiable information and confidential business information submitted in an administrative appeal are not released to the public.

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 (the Information Quality Act), which requires NMFS to ensure the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information it publicly disseminates. Public dissemination of data collected by this information collection is governed by NOAA's information quality guidelines, which were issued on October 30, 2014.

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. See Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy.

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 OMB control number and the expiration date are not found on the following, which do not have forms: IFQ Administrative Waiver, Prior Notice of Landing, IFQ Departure Report, Transshipment Authorization, Dockside Sales Receipt, Appeals, Annual Report for CDQ IFQ Transfers, and the RQE Annual Report. The IFQ Administrative Waiver, Prior Notice of Landing, IFQ Departure Report, and Transshipment Authorization are submitted by telephone. The Dockside Sales Receipt is given by the permit holder to the buyer; the mode of this receipt is up to the permit holder. The agency will display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection on all other instruments.

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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