Census-level information on fishing vessel and gear characteristics in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) shrimp fishery are needed as supplemental information necessary to conduct economic, social, and biological analyses that will improve fishery management decision-making in this fishery; ensure that national goals, objectives, and requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MFCMA, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 are met; and quantify achievement of the performance measures in the National Marine Fisheries Service's Strategic Operating Plans. This change: We have revised the shrimp vessel and gear characterization survey instrument, streamlining it by the removal of redundant and/or outdated questions. The revised form has been shortened by the removal of eight (8) questions, resulting in the reduction of one page of the original instrument.
The reduction in number of respondents and total burden hours from 3,000 and 1,000, respectively, is due to a reduction in the size of the 2008 shrimp fishery fleet.
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.