Scientific Research, Exempted Fishing, and Exempted Educational Activity Submissions

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
NOAA4000 PIA FY24 SAOP Approved Delegated.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-06-16
0648-0309 30-Day 90 FR 25246 2025-0616.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-06-16
0648-0309 Supporting Statement A.docx Supporting Statement A	2025-05-21
0648-0309 60-Day 90 FR 1447 2025-0108.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-05-14
50 CFR 648.12.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-05-14
50 CFR 600.745 (b)(2).pdf Supplementary Document	2025-05-14
Sustainable Fisheries Act [Pub. L. 104-297].pdf Supplementary Document	2025-05-14
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act - 2007 Blue Book.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-05-14

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
4222	Scientific Research Plans	Modified
187101	Exempted Educational Reports	Modified
187100	Exempted Educational Requests	Modified
187099	EFP Reports	Modified
187098	EFP Requests	Modified
187097	Scientific Research Reports	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0309	ICR Reference No: 202505-0648-005
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202111-0648-001
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Scientific Research, Exempted Fishing, and Exempted Educational Activity Submissions
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 06/16/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	06/30/2025
Responses	246	246
Time Burden (Hours)	2,164	2,164
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: This request is for an extension of a currently approved information collection. Under section 318 (d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.], as amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act [Pub. L. 104–297], the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) is required to promulgate regulations that create an expedited, uniform, and regionally-based process to promote issuance, where practicable, of experimental fishing permits. Regulations under 50 CFR 648.12 and 50 CFR 600.745 establish processes for scientific research plans as well as exempted fishing and exempted educational activities that are exempted from applicable fishing regulations. Fishing regulations do not generally affect scientific research activities conducted by a scientific research vessel. Persons planning to conduct such research are encouraged to submit a scientific research plan to ensure that the activities are considered research and not fishing. The researchers are requested to submit reports of their scientific research activity after its completion. Eligible researchers on board federally permitted fishing vessels that plan to temporarily possess fish in a manner not compliant with applicable fishing regulations for the purpose of collecting scientific data on catch may submit a request for a temporary possession letter of authorization. The researchers are requested to submit reports of their scientific research activity after its completion. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) may also grant exemptions from fishery regulations for educational or other activities (e.g., using non-regulation gear). The applications for these exemptions must be submitted, as well as reports on activities.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1801 et seq. Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation and Management Act
   PL: Pub.L. 104 - 297 39 Name of Law: Sustainable Fisheries Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 1447	01/08/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 25246	06/16/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 6

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
EFP Reports
EFP Requests
Exempted Educational Reports
Exempted Educational Requests
Scientific Research Plans
Scientific Research Reports

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	246	246	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	2,164	2,164	0	0	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $120,743

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 06/16/2025

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