This information collection is necessary to comply with the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA), 16 U.S.C. 5501 et seq., which, among other things, requires United States (U.S.) vessels that operate on the high seas to possess a permit issued in accordance with Section 104 of the HSFCA and be marked for identification purposes. HSFCA also requires permit holders to report their fishing activities. Implementing regulations are found at 50 CFR Part 300, Subpart B. This collection includes permit applications, logbooks, and vessel marking requirements.
Adjustments: With respect to the reporting of fishing activities, the total annual burden and number of responses are being reduced from 850 hours and 15,000 responses to 750 hours and 9,000 responses, and the reporting/recordkeeping costs from $3,012 to $648 (a net decrease based on fewer responses along with the postage cost per mailing having increased from $0.82 to $1.08). A review of logbook submissions show that the majority of high seas vessel operators report their fishing activities under MSA regulations rather than under the HSFCA regulations and, thus, the responses under the MSA regulations are no longer included here.
The other two information collections remain the same.
$10,169
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Mi Ae Kim 3017139090
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.