The cooperative management structure, originally implemented by the American Fisheries Act (AFA), has shifted more of the
monitoring and enforcement burden to the cooperatives and their members; and has allowed NMFS to manage the BSAI pollock fishery more precisely. With the flexibility provided by cooperatives, vessels are able to individually (and in aggregate) come very close to harvesting exactly the amount of pollock they were allocated. Allocations of pollock and other species have allowed the AFA fleet the ability to spread their effort in time and space to accommodate Steller Sea Lion conservation measures.
This action is intended to improve the management of Chinook and chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery by creating a comprehensive salmon bycatch avoidance program. This would minimize Chinook and chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery to the extent practicable while maintaining the potential for the full harvest of the pollock total allowable catch within specified prohibited species catch limits.
This information collection is revised by adding to the Cooperative Contract the obligation for the American Fisheries Act (AFA) cooperative members to ensure full payment of cost recovery fees established by an associated rule (RIN 0648-BE05). This requirement is intended to encourage and facilitate coordination among AFA cooperative members for the timely and complete payment of fees.
US Code:
16 USC 1801 et seq.
Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act
US Code:
16 USC 1851
Name of Law: American Fisheries Act
There is no change to burden, as this is a temporary new collection. After approval of this request, and of a revision to OMB Control No. 0648-0318 in relation to RIN 0648-BF36, this burden will be added to the existing collection.
Program Changes
ICA is integrated into IPA; ICA Report is integrated into IPA report. Both chum salmon and Chinook salmon are analyzed.
IPA
an increase of 10 hours, 50 instead of 40 hr
an increase of $1,650 personnel costs, $8,250 instead of $6,600
IPA Report
an increase of 30 hours, 120 instead of 90 hr
an increase of $530 personnel costs, $19,800 instead of $14,850
ICA [REMOVED; integrated into IPA]
a decrease of 1 respondent and response, 0 instead of 1
a decrease of 1 hour, 0 instead of 1 hr
a decrease of $150 personnel costs, $0 instead of $150
a decrease of $2 miscellaneous costs, $0 instead of $2
Non-Chinook ICA Annual Report [REMOVED; integrated into ICA annual report]
a decrease of 1 respondent and response, 0 instead of 1
a decrease of 8 hours, 0 instead of 8 hr
a decrease of $600 personnel costs, $0 instead of $600
a decrease of $2 miscellaneous costs, $0 instead of $2
Appeals to disapproved IPA [NEW]
an increase of 1 respondent and response, 1 instead of 0
an increase of 4 hours, 4 instead of 0 hr
an increase of $148 personnel costs, $148 instead of $0
an increase of $2 miscellaneous costs, $2 instead of $0
$4,940
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Patsy Bearden 907 586-7008
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.