U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Fishing Capacity Reduction Program/Buyback Requests
OMB Control No. 0648-0376
SUPPORTING STATEMENT PART A
This request is for extension of a currently approved information collection.
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) established programs to reduce excess fishing capacity by paying fishermen to surrender their vessels/permits. The information collected by NMFS involves the submission of buyback requests by industry, submission of bids, referenda of fishery participants and reporting of collection of fees to repay buyback loans. For buybacks involving State-managed fisheries, the State may be involved in developing the buyback plan and complying with other information requirements. NMFS requests information from participating buyback participants to track repayments of the loans as well as ensure accurate management and monitoring of the loans. The fees for recordkeeping and reporting requirements at 50 CFR parts 600.1013 through 600.1017 form the basis for the collection of information.
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.
This request is for an extension of a current information collection.
The Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) amended the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to provide for voluntary reduction of excess fishing capacity through fishing capacity reduction (buyback) programs. Excess fishing capacity decreases fisheries earnings, complicates fishery management, and imperils fishery conservation. Congress acknowledged this by providing capacity reduction program authority. This extension request for information collection approval involves standard information required to be included in any program request for any fishery.
The statutory objective of a program is "to obtain the maximum sustained reduction in fishing capacity at the least cost and in a minimum period of time." Buybacks pay fishermen either to: (1) surrender their fishing permits; or (2) both surrender their permits and either scrap their fishing vessels or restrict vessel title to prevent fishing. Buybacks can involve either a Federal or State fishery. Buybacks can be funded via a long-term loan from the Federal government to the fishery (industry-funded buybacks), to be repaid by the industry by post-buyback landing fees, or funded from appropriations (non-industry funded) or other non-loan sources of funds. Programs involving industry financed loans are authorized by section 1111 of title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936.
Framework guidelines for future implementation of programs for specific fisheries was published at 50 CRF part 600 (subpart L) on May 18, 2000. These guidelines were intended to provide direction and elaboration for future, fishery-specific rules. The SFA amendments to the MSA require a separate rule for each specific program. There are currently four (4) fishing capacity reduction programs that have been published at 50 CFR part 600 (Subpart M), and which are in repayment under the existing Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) OMB Control Number listed above.
From regulations: This final rule does not contain any new collection of information requirements subject to the PRA. The estimates of the public reporting burden that have been previously approved by OMB, under OMB Control No. 0648–0376 remain valid. Send comments regarding the collection of information requirements contained in this final rule, including the burden hour estimates, and suggestions for reducing the burdens to NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and to OMB (see ADDRESSES). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 600 Fisheries, Fishing capacity reduction, Fishing permits, Fishing vessels, Intergovernmental relations, Loan programs—business, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Buybacks can involve two (2) types of information collection requirements on the public. These are:
Buyback Fee Collection Reports
Buyback Annual Reports
The instructions for the prior collection of information for items (1 and 2) vary for each buyback, due to the different nature/operation of each individual fishery.
Buyer Reporting and Recordkeeping for Buyback Fee Collection Reports and Annual Reports
The repayment of an industry-funded program is dependent on the collection of fees by the first purchasers of the fish from the buyback fishery, or the Secretary may determine that the fees should be collected from the seller. These fees are remitted by the fish buyer or seller to a lockbox at the Treasury Department where they are eventually applied against the buyback loan. The statutory authority exists to collect up to five percent (5%) of the ex-vessel sale value of the fish to repay the loan.
Each fish buyer, or seller if the Secretary has determined that fees must be collected from the seller, required to collect fees must maintain a segregated account at a Federally-chartered national bank for the sole purpose of depositing fee collections and disbursing them there from to the Secretary. At the end of each business day the buyer or seller must deposit into the account all collected fees. On the last business day of each calendar month, the fish buyer or seller will send the full deposit principle to NMFS. To support this system, the buyer or the seller must maintain certain records and submit an annual report.
Records maintenance: Each fish buyer, or seller if the Secretary has determined such fees should be collected from the seller, must, on forms the Secretary specifies, maintain accurate records of all transactions involving fees. Each fish buyer or seller must maintain such records in a secure and orderly manner for a period of at least three (3) years from the date of the transactions involved. The following information shall be maintained by each fish buyer, or seller as appropriate, for all deliveries of post-buyback fish such fish buyer buys, or fish seller sells:
(1) Delivery date;
(2) Fish seller's name;
(3) Number of pounds of each species of post-buyback fish bought;
(4) Name of fishing vessel from which unloaded;
(5) Ex-vessel price per pound of each species of such fish;
(6) Total ex-vessel value of such fish;
(7) Net ex-vessel value of such fish;
(8) Name of party to whom net ex-vessel value paid if other than fish seller;
(9) Date net ex-vessel value paid;
(10) Total fee amount collected; and
(11) Such other information as the Secretary shall deem reasonably necessary.
Much of this information (date, name, pounds delivered, vessel, price per pound, date) is collected as part of normal fish ticket procedures in many fisheries. The fee information and the length of the record retention is an additional burden.
In addition, the buyer or seller collecting fees must maintain records on all fee collection deposits to, and disbursements from, the deposit account, including:
(1) Dates and amounts of deposits;
(2) Dates and amounts of disbursements to the Fund's lockbox account the Secretary designates; and
(3) Dates and amounts of disbursements to the fish buyer, fish seller, or other parties, of interest earned on deposits (this information would be a normal part of bank statements).
The fish ticket and deposit/disbursement information is necessary to enforce the fee collection process to ensure that the Federal government is repaid and that fishermen's fees are directed to that end.
Annual report: Buyers or sellers directed to pay the fees by the authority of the Secretary must also submit a report not later than the date specified in each fishery specific program rule. The report must contain the following program information for the preceding calendar year:
(1) Total pounds of fish purchased, or sold, from each fish seller;
(2) Total net ex-vessel value of payments to each fish seller;
(3) Total fee amounts collected from, or by, each fish seller;
(4) Total fee collection amounts deposited by month;
(5) Dates and amounts of monthly disbursements to the Fund lockbox account;
(6) Total amount of deposit interest withdrawn by fish buyer or seller; and
(7) Balance of depository account at year-end.
This information is also needed to track and enforce the fee collection system.
These reporting requirements would apply in situations where one of the parties in a sale refuses to either pay or collect the required fees.
If a fish buyer refuses to collect the fee, the fish seller is supposed to advise the fish buyer of the fish seller's fee payment obligation and of the fish buyer's fee collection obligation. If the fish buyer still refuses to collect the fee, the fish seller must, within the next 24 hours, forward the fee to the Secretary and advise the Secretary in writing of the full particulars, including: the fish buyer's and fish seller's name, address, and telephone number; the name of the fishing vessel from which the fish seller made post-buyback fish delivery and the date of doing so; the quantity and ex-vessel value of each species of such fish delivered; and the fish seller's reason for refusing to collect the fee in accordance with this subpart.
If a fish seller refuses to pay the fee to the buyer, the fish buyer should advise the fish seller of the fish buyer's collection obligation and of the fish seller's payment obligation. If the fish seller still refuses to pay the fee, the fish buyer must either collect the fee over the fish seller's protest or refrain from buying the post-buyback fish and, within the next 24 hours, advise the Secretary in writing of the full particulars, including: the fish buyer's and fish seller's name, address, and telephone number; the name of the fishing vessel from which the fish seller made or attempted to make post-buyback fish delivery and the date of doing so; the quantity and ex-vessel value of each species of such fish delivered or attempted to be delivered; whether the fish buyer collected the fee over the fish seller's protest or refrained from buying such fish; and the fish seller's reason for refusing to pay the fee.
These reports are necessary to correct any problems that develop in the fee-collection process.
Item # |
Requirement |
Statute |
Regulation |
Form # |
Needs and Uses |
1 |
BSAI Crab Buyback Fee Collection Report |
16 U.S.C. §1861a |
50 CFR Part 600 |
N/A |
|
2 |
BSAI Crab Buyback Annual Report |
16 U.S.C. §1861a |
50 CFR Part 600 |
N/A |
|
3 |
Pacific Coast Groundfish Buyback Fee Collection Report |
16 U.S.C. §1861a |
50 CFR Part 600 |
N/A |
|
4 |
Pacific Coast Groundfish Buyback Annual Report |
16 U.S.C. §1861a |
50 CFR Part 600 |
N/A |
|
5 |
BSAI Non-Pollock Buyback Fee Collection Report |
16 U.S.C. §1861a |
50 CFR Part 600 |
N/A |
|
6 |
BSAI Non-Pollock Buyback Annual Report |
16 U.S.C. §1861a |
50 CFR Part 600 |
N/A |
|
7 |
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon Buyback Fee Collection Report |
16 U.S.C. §1861a |
50 CFR Part 600 |
N/A |
|
8 |
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon Buyback Annual Report |
16 U.S.C. §1861a |
50 CFR Part 600 |
N/A |
|
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.
The collection of information involves the use of electronic collection techniques and submission by postal mail. The current forms are available online https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/funding-and-financial-services/fishing-capacity-reduction-programs. The Buyback program permits and encourages electronic submission of reports and payments be made electronically via pay.gov, but also accepts submission by postal mail via lockbox. The basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection is for convenience of the buyer/processor to submit payment by credit card or check.
Based on a sample of recent submissions, approximately 85% of fee collection reports and 100% of annual reports are submitted electronically, while approximately 15% of fee collection reports are submitted in hard copy along with physical checks.
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
Because NOAA is the sole Federal provider of buybacks, there is no duplication of other information requests. Each submission is an individual monthly or annual report of payment made and pounds of fish purchased. There is no duplication of documentation, because each report is unique and only one is submitted with each payment or once annually.
If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.
These requirements should not have a significant impact on small businesses or entities.
Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.
If the collections were not conducted, statutorily-mandated financial assistance could not be delivered. The only requirement with a set frequency of submission is the fee-related submission of an annual report. This frequency is deemed minimal for protecting the process from abuse.
Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
The requirements are consistent with OMB guidelines except for the following: Reporting will take place more often than quarterly in the case of submission of the fee collections, which are required for any month with fishing activity pertaining to the buyback. Increased frequency may be deemed necessary for safer management and more efficient repayment.
OMB guidelines
Requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly – Reporting is required for submissions of fee collection which are required for any month with fishing activity pertaining to the buyback. For most respondents, this will require more than one report in a quarter.
Requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it – No responses are required within 30 days of the collection forms being made available.
Requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document – Multiple copies of documents are not required.
Requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in- aid, or tax records for more than three years – Records are required to be maintained for three (3) years, but not longer.
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 – The collection of information is not connected to such a statistical survey.
Requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB – The collection of information does not require the use of unapproved statistical data classification.
That includes 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 – The collection of information does not include an unsupported pledge of confidentiality.
Requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, 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 – The collection of information does not require respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets or other confidential information.
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 notice was published in the Federal Register (89 FR 41947) seeking public comment. No comments were received.
NOAA consulted with four stakeholders to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
Each stakeholder was asked “Do you have any comments or suggestions for the fee collection report or annual report? These comments could be related to the type of information collected, clarity of instructions, format, or anything else. If not, please just let me know that you have no comments.”
James Peterson, Controller of Deep Sea Fisheries Inc, which operates in the Longline Non-Pollock fishery: “No Comment.”
Christine Swanson, AP/AR Manager of Sitka Sound Seafoods, which operates in the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon fishery: “No not really They are pretty straightforward. Thanks for asking”
Marisa Melovidov, Senior Accountant for the Central Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association, which operates in the BSAI Crab Fishery: “I have no comments or suggestions.”
No response has yet been received from Christine Scott of Noyo Fish Company which operates in the Pacific Groundfish fishery, though the previous three responses should meet the required response threshold.
Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
Aside from the loan that may be issued as part of a program or refund of overpayments received, no payments will be made to respondents.
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.
Confidentiality and Privacy Act statements are located on each form.
“Confidential name and address information may be released via a NOAA website for informational purposes. All other data submitted will be handled as confidential material in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216‐100, Protection of Confidential Fisheries Statistics.”
“Privacy Act: The authority regarding establishment of Fishing Capacity Reduction Programs is 16 U.S.C. §1861a (b)‐(e). §§ 600.1000‐600.1017 provides the Fishing Capacity Reduction Framework. Specific Fishery or Program Fishing Capacity Regulations authorizations are §§ 600.1100‐600.1108.”
Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
No questions or information of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private, are requested by the buyback loans programs.
Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.
Information Collection |
Type of Respondent (e.g., Occupational Title) |
#
of Respondents / year |
Annual
# of Responses / Respondent |
Total
# of Annual Responses |
Burden
Hrs / Response |
Total
Annual Burden Hrs |
Hourly
Wage Rate (for Type of Respondent) |
Total
Annual Wage Burden Costs |
Buyback Fee Collection Reports |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
120 |
10.163* |
1,220 |
0.5 |
610 |
$43.65 |
$26,626.50 |
0648-0376 BSAI Crab Buyback Fee Collection Report |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
30 |
10 |
300 |
0.5 |
150 |
$43.65 |
$6,547.50 |
0648-0376 Pacific Coast Groundfish Buyback Fee Collection Report |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
50 |
12 |
600 |
0.5 |
300 |
$43.65 |
$13,095.00 |
0648-0376 BSAI Non-Pollock Buyback Fee Collection Report |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
20 |
12 |
240 |
0.5 |
120 |
$43.65 |
$5,238.00 |
0648-0376 SE AK Purse Seine Salmon Buyback Fee Collection Report |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
20 |
4 |
80 |
0.5 |
40 |
$43.65 |
$1,746.00 |
Buyback Annual Reports |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
80 |
1 |
80 |
4 |
320 |
$43.65 |
$13,968.00 |
0648-0376 BSAI Crab Buyback Annual Report |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
30 |
1 |
30 |
4 |
120 |
$43.65 |
$5,238.00 |
0648-0376 Pacific Coast Groundfish Buyback Annual Report |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
10 |
1 |
10 |
4 |
40 |
$43.65 |
$1,746.00 |
0648-0376 BSAI Non-Pollock Buyback Annual Report |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
20 |
1 |
20 |
4 |
80 |
$43.65 |
$3,492.00 |
0648-0376 SE AK Purse Seine Salmon Buyback Annual Report |
Fishing Company Accounting Professional |
20 |
1 |
20 |
4 |
80 |
$43.65 |
$3,492.00 |
Totals |
|
|
|
1,300 |
|
930 |
|
$40,594.50 |
*Annual # of responses per respondents varies.
Data source for wages was downloaded on 8/21/2024 from U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023. Amount above is mean hourly wage for Accountants and Auditors (13-2011).
Accountants and Auditors (bls.gov)
Explanation of how the burden was estimated
The burden was estimated based on the number of submissions per form/report, per year, and completion time for each. Fee collection reports should only require approximately 30 minutes or less to complete, and the number of submissions per buyback per year range from four to 12. Annual reports take approximately four hours to complete and are only submitted once a year.
The estimated burden is as follows:
BSAI Crab Buyback
Fee collection reports: 30 respondents x 10 responses x 30 minutes/response = 150 hours
Annual report: 30 respondents x 1 response x 4 hours = 120 hours
Total: 60 respondents, 330 responses, 270 hours
Pacific Coast Groundfish Buyback
Fee collection reports: 50 respondents x 12 responses x 30 minutes/response = 300 hours
Annual report: 10 respondents x 1 response x 4 hours = 40 hours
Total: 60 respondents, 610 responses, 340 hours
BSAI Non-Pollock Buyback
Fee collection reports: 20 respondents x 12 responses x 30 minutes/response = 120 hours
Annual report: 20 respondents x 1 response x 4 hours = 80 hours
Total: 40 respondents, 260 responses, 200 hours
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon Buyback
Fee collection reports: 20 respondents x 4 responses x 30 minutes/response = 40 hours
Annual report: 20 respondents x 1 response x 4 hours = 80 hours
Total: 40 respondents, 100 responses, 120 hours
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).
The estimated annual cost burden is $1,150.60.
Information Collection |
#
of Respondents / year |
Annual
# of Responses / Respondent |
Total
# of Annual Responses |
Cost
Burden / Respondent |
Total
Annual Cost Burden |
Buyback Fee Collection Reports |
120 |
Varies |
1,220 |
$0.93 |
$1,135 |
BSAI Crab |
30 |
10 |
300 |
$0.93 |
$279.00 |
Pacific Coast Groundfish |
50 |
12 |
600 |
$0.93 |
$558.00 |
BSAI Non-Pollock |
20 |
12 |
240 |
$0.93 |
$223.20 |
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon |
20 |
4 |
80 |
$0.93 |
$74.40 |
Buyback Annual Reports |
80 |
1 |
80 |
$0.20 |
$16.00 |
BSAI Crab |
30 |
1 |
30 |
$0.20 |
$6.00 |
Pacific Coast Groundfish |
10 |
1 |
10 |
$0.20 |
$2.00 |
BSAI Non-Pollock |
20 |
1 |
20 |
$0.20 |
$4.00 |
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon |
20 |
1 |
20 |
$0.20 |
$4.00 |
TOTALS |
200 |
Varies |
1,300 |
Varies |
$1,151 |
There are no capital/start-up costs associated with this information collection.
Potential annualized costs per respondent are printing costs and first class postage. The actual costs will be less than is estimated here because most fee collection reports are submitted electronically rather than in hard copy.
Assumptions:
U.S. First Class Postage, letter - $0.73
Cost of printing per page - $0.10
Fee Collection Reports – 1 page
Annual Reports – 2 pages
All fee collection reports in the table are assumed sent as hardcopy to provide the most conservative estimate.
All annual reports are submitted electronically.
All respondents will print a copy for their records.
BSAI Crab Buyback
0648-0376 BSAI Crab Fee Collection Report: 300 responses per year (30 respondents * 10 responses per year) * $0.93 ($0.73 postage, $0.10 * 1 page for mailing, $0.10 * 1 page for records), $279.00 total.
0648-0376 BSAI Crab Annual Report: 30 responses per year (30 respondents * 1 response per year) * $0.20 ($0.10 * 2 pages for records), $6.00 total
Based on 30 BSAI Crab fishery participants, printing and mailing would cost $285.00 per year.
Pacific Coast Groundfish Buyback
0648-0376 Pacific Coast Groundfish Fee Collection Report: 600 responses per year (50 respondents * 12 responses per year) * $0.93 ($0.73 postage, $0.10 * 1 page for mailing, $0.10 * 1 page for records), $558.00 total.
0648-0376 Pacific Coast Groundfish Mothership Annual Report: 10 responses per year (10 respondents * 1 response per year) * $0.20 ($0.10 * 2 pages for records), $2.00 total.
Based on 50 Pacific Groundfish fishery participants (10 of which are motherships), printing and mailing would cost $560.00 per year.
BSAI Non-Pollock Buyback
0648-0376 BSAI Non-Pollock Fee Collection Report: 240 responses per year (20 respondents * 12 responses per year) * $0.93 ($0.73 postage, $0.10 * 1 page for mailing, $0.10 * 1 page for records), $223.20 total.
0648-0376 BSAI Non-Pollock Annual Report: 20 responses per year (20 respondents * 1 response per year) * $0.20 ($0.10 * 2 pages for records), $4.00 total.
Based on 20 respondents, printing and mailing would cost $227.20 per year.
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon Buyback
0648-0376 SE AK Purse Seine Salmon Fee Collection Report: 80 responses per year (20 respondents * 4 responses per year) * $0.93 ($0.73 postage, $0.10 * 1 page for mailing, $0.10 * 1 page for records), $74.40 total.
0648-0376 SE AK Purse Seine Salmon Annual Report: 20 responses (20 respondents * 1 response per year) * $0.20 ($0.10 * 2 pages for records), $4.00 total
Based on 20 respondents, printing and mailing would cost $78.40 per year.
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.
The average percentage of effort is 20% for Financial Assistance Specialist based on the performance plan and how much time is spent processing the fee collection reports and annual reports. This is a change from 2021 when the effort was 10% each for two staff members.
Salary cost uses the same calculation as 2021, though with only the one staff member noted above. It is based on the median ZA-03, interval 03 rate in the Washington, D.C. metro area, which can be found on page 73 of the ZA pay table at https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/CAPS_rpStandard_2024.pdf. The calculation applied the same proportion of overhead that was used in 2021.
Cost Descriptions |
Grade/Step |
Loaded Salary /Cost |
% of Effort |
Fringe (if Applicable) |
Total Cost to Government |
Federal Oversight |
ZA-03 |
$201,585.47 |
20% |
|
$40,317.09 |
Other Federal Positions |
|
|
|
|
|
Contractor Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
Travel |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
$40,317.09 |
Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in ROCIS.
There has been a decrease in required responses and burden hours but an increase in costs since the last extension.
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 |
||
Buyback Fee Collection Reports |
120 |
130 |
1,220 |
1,320 |
610 |
660 |
Decrease due to changes in BSAI Crab. |
BSAI Crab |
30 |
40 |
300 |
400 |
150 |
200 |
Reduction in expected number of responses based on decreased participation in fishery due to significant long-term closures. |
Pacific Coast Groundfish |
50 |
50 |
600 |
600 |
300 |
300 |
No change. |
BSAI Non-Pollock |
20 |
20 |
240 |
240 |
120 |
120 |
No change. |
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon |
20 |
20 |
80 |
80 |
40 |
40 |
No change. |
Buyback Annual Reports |
80 |
90 |
80 |
90 |
320 |
360 |
Decrease due to changes in BSAI Crab. |
BSAI Crab |
30 |
40 |
30 |
40 |
120 |
160 |
Reduction in expected number of responses based on decreased participation in fishery due to significant long-term closures. |
Pacific Coast Groundfish |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
40 |
40 |
No change. |
BSAI Non-Pollock |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
80 |
80 |
No change. |
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
80 |
80 |
No change. |
Total for Collection |
200 |
220 |
1,300 |
1,410 |
930 |
1,020 |
|
Difference |
-20 |
-110 |
-90 |
|
|||
The time burden has decreased due to a reduction in respondents, likely related to significant long-term closures and catch reductions in crab fisheries. This resulted in a reduction of 20 respondents (10 in fee collection reports, 10 in annual reports), 110 responses (100 fee collection reports, 10 annual reports), and 90 burden hours (50 from fee collection reports, 40 from annual reports).
Information Collection |
Labor Costs |
Miscellaneous Costs |
Reason for change or adjustment |
||
Current |
Previous |
Current |
Previous |
||
Buyback Fee Collection Reports |
$26,626.50 |
$25,911.60 |
$1,135 |
$990.00 |
Combination of increased postage rates, adjustment to printing cost, increased fee collection report copies printed, and reduction in BSAI Crab responses. Please see form specific entries for details. |
BSAI Crab |
$6,547.50 |
$7,862.00 |
$279.00 |
$300.00 |
Labor: Increased hourly wage for accountants from $39.26 to $43.65. Misc: Increase in cost of postage from $0.55 to $0.73 per stamp. Calculation for printing reduced from $0.20 to $0.10 per page. Included a second printed copy for records. Both: Decrease in responses. |
Pacific Coast Groundfish |
$13,095.00 |
$11,778.00 |
$558.00 |
$450.00 |
Labor: Increased hourly wage for accountants from $39.26 to $43.65. Misc: Increase in cost of postage from $0.55 to $0.73 per stamp. Calculation for printing reduced from $0.20 to $0.10 per page. Included a second printed copy for records. |
BSAI Non-Pollock |
$5,238.00 |
$4,711.20 |
$223.20 |
$180.00 |
Labor: Increased hourly wage for accountants from $39.26 to $43.65. Misc: Increase in cost of postage from $0.55 to $0.73 per stamp. Calculation for printing reduced from $0.20 to $0.10 per page. Included a second printed copy for records. |
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon |
$1,746.00 |
$1,570 |
$74.40 |
$60.00 |
Labor: Increased hourly wage for accountants from $39.26 to $43.65. Misc: Increase in cost of postage from $0.55 to $0.73 per stamp. Calculation for printing reduced from $0.20 to $0.10 per page. Included a second printed copy for records. |
Buyback Annual Reports |
$13,968.00 |
$14,133.60 |
$16.00 |
$36.00 |
Combination of adjustment to printing cost and reduction in BSAI Crab responses. Please see form specific entries for details. |
BSAI Crab |
$5,238.00 |
$6,281.60 |
$6.00 |
$16.00 |
Labor: Increased hourly wage for accountants from $39.26 to $43.65. Misc: Increase in cost of postage from $0.55 to $0.73 per stamp. Calculation for printing reduced from $0.20 to $0.10 per page. Included a second printed copy for records. Both: Decrease in responses. |
Pacific Coast Groundfish |
$1,746.00 |
$1,570.40 |
$2.00 |
$4.00 |
Labor: Increased hourly wage for accountants from $39.26 to $43.65. Misc: Increase in cost of postage from $0.55 to $0.73 per stamp. Calculation for printing reduced from $0.20 to $0.10 per page. Included a second printed copy for records. |
BSAI Non-Pollock |
$3,492.00 |
$3,140.80 |
$4.00 |
$8.00 |
Labor: Increased hourly wage for accountants from $39.26 to $43.65. Misc: Increase in cost of postage from $0.55 to $0.73 per stamp. Calculation for printing reduced from $0.20 to $0.10 per page. Included a second printed copy for records. |
SE AK Purse Seine Salmon |
$3,492.00 |
$3,140.80 |
$4.00 |
$8.00 |
Labor: Increased hourly wage for accountants from $39.26 to $43.65. Misc: Increase in cost of postage from $0.55 to $0.73 per stamp. Calculation for printing reduced from $0.20 to $0.10 per page. Included a second printed copy for records. |
Total for Collection |
$40,594.50 |
$40,045.20 |
$1,151 |
$1,026.00 |
|
Difference |
+$549.30 |
+$125 |
|
||
The cost increases are primarily due to increases in wages and postage stamps:
The labor wage estimate for accountants and auditors increased more than 10% from $39.26 to $43.65.
The cost of a first class postage stamp increased more than 30% from $0.55 to $0.73.
The agency did make two adjustments to the calculations which resulted in a negligible reduction in costs:
The cost of printing estimate was reduce from $0.20 to $0.10. The previous estimate seemed far in excess of normal printing costs.
A printed file copy was assumed for the annual reports but not for the fee collection reports, so the agency has now included two printed copies for the fee collection reports.
The changes are offsetting with regards to the cost burden on fee collection reports ($0.20 to $0.10 per page, but 2 pages instead of 1, so the cost is still $0.20 per report).
This resulted in a $16.00 reduction in the cost of annual reports (the other $4.00 was from the change in respondents noted above).
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.
The results will not be published.
NOAA Fisheries 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 response to Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality guidelines. Although the information collected is not expected to be disseminated directly to the public, results may be used in scientific, management, technical or general informational publications. Should NOAA Fisheries decide to disseminate the information, it will be subject to the quality control measures and pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554.
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 agency plans to display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection on all instruments.
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).
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Dumas, Sheleen (Federal) |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2024-09-18 |