West Coast Region Pacific Tuna Fisheries Logbook, Fish Aggregating Device Form, and Observer Safety Reporting
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
05/31/2022
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
06/30/2023
11,021
3,706
861
371
6,063
2,039
This request is for a revision and extension of a currently approved collection of information. The revisions are a result of a final rule (RIN: 0648-BK84) under the Tuna Conventions Act (TCA) of 1950, as amended, to implement a Resolution C-21-04 (Conservation Measures for Tropical Tunas in the Eastern Pacific Ocean During 2022-2024) adopted at the Resumed 98th Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in October 2021. The final rule would require additional reporting for satellite buoys attached to FADs as well as reporting of cannery data to IATTC and also make available to NMFS upon request no later than 10 days after completion of unloading and the last day of grading by size.
The United States’ (U.S.) participation in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) results in certain record keeping requirements for U.S. vessel owners and operators who fish in the IATTC’s area of management responsibility. Under Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 300 Subpart C), these vessel owners and operators must maintain a log of all operations conducted from the fishing vessel, entering the date, noon position (latitude and longitude or in relation to known physical features), and the tonnage of fish aboard by species. This record keeping requirement may be met by using the bridge log, which is furnished and collected from vessel owners and operators by the IATTC. As a practical matter, all U.S. vessel owners and operators use the IATTC log rather than having to maintain two logbooks, and there is no separate National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) form now in use. In addition, vessel owners and operators would be required to collect data specifically on fish aggregating devices (FADs) to meet international obligations under IATTC Resolution C-16-01. Owners and operators of a FAD would be required to record this information on the standard form developed by the IATTC Secretariat and provided to the owners and operators by NMFS Regional Administrator.
The record keeping requirements provide information that is needed to assess the impacts of fishing on tuna stocks and non-target species, to better understand the number and type of FADs, and to evaluate the effectiveness of management measures. The authority to implement Federal rules to meet U.S. responsibilities to the IATTC is set forth in the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq).
US Code:
16 USC 951-962
Name of Law: Tuna Conventions Act of 1950
Two new reporting requirements are being implemented as a result of final rule 0648-BK84.
$0
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Rachael Wadsworth 562 980-4036
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.
0648-0148 Supporting Statement A_BK84.docx
Bridge Log and FAD Form