NMFS issues a proposed rule that would implement Amendment 42 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP). If approved, Amendment 42 would revise the annual economic data reports (EDRs) currently required for each of the four categories of participants in the Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program) fisheries: catcher vessels, catcher/processors, shoreside processors, and stationary floating crab processors. The EDRs include cost, revenue, ownership, and employment data in order to study the economic impacts of the CR Program on harvesters, processors, and affected communities. This action is necessary to eliminate redundant reporting requirements, standardize reporting across respondents, and reduce costs associated with the data collection.
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 313(j)
Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as amended in 2006
This action is a revision with program changes and adjustments to the CR Program and CR Program EDRs. Through the reiterative process of working with the industry prior to finalization of the EDR forms, the time to complete each EDR was reduced to 10 hr. Total estimated changes are shown below:
Program changes: Additional 66 responses (9 vessel EDR certifications, 57 data verifications), 2,633 fewer hours, $346,718 less in recordkeeping/reporting costs:
Combined processor form (does not in itself affect burden).
Changes to EDRs result in shorter response times and no need for additional accounting fees for the verification of data.
Auditing of all reports, rather than a sample.
Adjustments: Twenty-five fewer responses, 53 fewer hours, $5,903 less in recordkeeping/reporting costs:
Fewer responses (other than verification of data) are due to re-estimation of respondents.
Certification response time is adjusted from one hour to two, based on re-estimation.
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.
Annual Catcher Vessel EDR - Full EDR submission