Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment, Display Permits, and Shark Research Fishery Permits

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Annual reports for state and local governments Form and Instruction	Removed
Annual reports Form and Instruction	Modified
Interm reports for state and local governments Form and Instruction	Removed
Interim reports Form and Instruction	Modified
EFP, SRP, LOA and display permits for state and local governments Form and Instruction	Removed
EFP, SRP, LOA and display permit applications Form and Instruction	Modified
Shark research permit applications Form and Instruction	Modified
0471_supporting statement_051811 rev.pdf Supporting Statement A	2011-05-26

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
181181	Shark permit notifical calls for observer coverage	Modified
181180	Tag applications	Modified
181178	Departure notification calls to enforcement for collection of display animals	Modified
181176	"No catch" reports	Modified
181173	Annual reports for state and local governments Form and Instruction	Removed
181172	Annual reports Form and Instruction	Modified
181166	Interm reports for state and local governments Form and Instruction	Removed
181165	Interim reports Form and Instruction	Modified
181163	Amendments to exempted fishing permits	Modified
181162	Scientiic research plans	Modified
181161	EFP, SRP, LOA and display permits for state and local governments Form and Instruction	Removed
181160	EFP, SRP, LOA and display permit applications Form and Instruction	Modified
181159	Shark research permit applications Form and Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0471	ICR Reference No: 201105-0648-005
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200802-0648-009
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment, Display Permits, and Shark Research Fishery Permits
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 09/12/2011
	Date Received in OIRA: 05/27/2011
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	09/30/2014	36 Months From Approved	09/30/2011
Responses	485	0	868
Time Burden (Hours)	236	0	537
Cost Burden (Dollars)	118	0	310

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Abstract: The information is requested that will be used in support of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issuing Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment Display Permits, and Shark Research Fishery Permits regarding highly migratory species (HMS). This information will also enhance and facilitate NMFS' compliance and enforcement capabilities regarding HMS scientific research, industry related research, and exempted fishing activities. All information regarding mortality will be used in future stock assessments.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1801 Name of Law: Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006
   US Code: 16 USC 971-971i Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	76 FR 1602	01/11/2011
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	76 FR 30905	05/27/2011
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 10

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Interm reports for state and local governments	NA	EFP, SRP and display permit interim report
EFP, SRP, LOA and display permits for state and local governments	NA	Exempted fishing and shark research requirements and application
Annual reports for state and local governments	NA	EFP, SRP and display annual report
"No catch" reports
Shark permit notifical calls for observer coverage
Shark research permit applications	NA	Federal Atlantic shark research permit requirements and application
Amendments to exempted fishing permits
Interim reports	NA	HMS EFP, SRP and display permit interim report and instructions
Scientiic research plans
EFP, SRP, LOA and display permit applications	NA	EFP, SRP, LOA and display permit requirements and application
Annual reports	NA	HMS ERP, SRP and display permit annual report and instructions
Tag applications
Departure notification calls to enforcement for collection of display animals

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	485	868	0	-85	-298	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	236	537	0	-76	-225	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	118	310	0	-39	-153	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: Adjustment: NMFS has updated the burden hour estimates for the shark research fishery and the exempted fishing program based on realized participation in both the shark research fishery and the exempted fishing program over the past three years. When the shark research fishery began, NMFS was unsure of the number of applications the Agency would receive for participation in the research fishery. A decrease of 333 hours is due to these revised estimates. However, there were increases in the estimates associated with the number of scientific research plans submitted (up from 4 to 11 research plans submitted), increased number of applicants under the exempted fishing permit program (and associated annual and interim reports; an increase of, on average, 3 applicants per year), an increase in the amount of time associated with calling the SEFSC for NMFS observer coverage (an increase from 92 calls to 180 calls), and an increase in the number of amendments requested each year (up from 14 amendments to 24). An increase of approximately 39 hours is due to these revised estimates. The net change in burden hours due to adjustments is 294 fewer burden hours. Program change: The exempted fishing program requirements have changed, based on a 2009 rule (August 25, 2009, 74 FR 42786), which changed some aspects of the exempted fishing program. For this collection, the change resulted in NMFS scientific observers (i.e., the bottom longline observer, the pelagic longline observer, and the Northeast observer programs) no longer having to obtain an EFP in order to conduct authorized research activities. This results in three fewer applicants and associated interim and annual reports or a decrease of 7 burden hours. Based on the adjustments and program change, there is a net decrease to the burden hours from 537 to 236 (a difference of 301) and the annual cost burden has decreased from $310 to $119 (a difference of $191). NOTE: all but 9 responses, 7 hours and $4 of the "agency discretion" number changes are due to having removed ICs which had previously been unncessarily split into two, based on affected public groups. There is no way to remove an IC without the difference showing as "agency discretion".

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $600

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 05/27/2011

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