Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment, Display Permits, and Shark Research Fishery Permits

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Annual Reports Form and Instruction	Modified
Interim Reports Form and Instruction	Unchanged
EFP, SRP, LOA and Display Permit Applications Form and Instruction	Modified
Shark Research Fishery Permit Application Form and Instruction	Unchanged
0648-0471 Justification for Change.docx Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	2025-08-13
50 CFR 600.745 (up to date as of 9-04-2024).pdf Supplementary Document	2024-09-06
50 CFR 635.32 (up to date as of 9-04-2024).pdf Supplementary Document	2024-09-06
NAO 216-100 Protection of Confidential Fisheries Statistics with Attachments.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-09-06
Pub Law 106-554 Sec. 515.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-09-06
16 USC 971 - Atlantic Tunas Convention Act.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-09-06
16 USC 1801 et seq -Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-09-06
0648-0471 30-Day 89 FR 29306 2024-0422.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-04-22
0648-0471 60-Day 88 FR 86117 2023-1212.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-04-16

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
181181	Notification calls to the Southeast Fisheries Science Center for observer coverage	Unchanged
181178	Departure notification to NMFS enforcement for collection of display animals	Unchanged
181176	"No Catch" Reports	Unchanged
181172	Annual Reports Form and Instruction	Modified
181165	Interim Reports Form and Instruction	Unchanged
181163	Amendments to exempt fishing permits	Unchanged
181162	Scientific Research Plans	Unchanged
181160	EFP, SRP, LOA and Display Permit Applications Form and Instruction	Modified
181159	Shark Research Fishery Permit Application Form and Instruction	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0471	ICR Reference No: 202508-0648-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202404-0648-006
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment, Display Permits, and Shark Research Fishery Permits
Type of Information Collection: No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 08/13/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	09/30/2027	09/30/2027
Responses	421	421
Time Burden (Hours)	226	226
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recently reviewed the application form and annual reporting form for the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Exempted Fishing Permit Program. As part of that review, NMFS identified several areas that could be revised to improve clarity, reduce redundancies, and remove outdated information. These revisions will streamline the application and reporting form, and will not impact the number of individuals who are required to complete and submit these forms nor the burden on the individuals to do so. A description of the non-substantive changes to the application and annual report form are described below.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 971-971i Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act
   US Code: 16 USC 1801 Name of Law: Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006
  

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:
	88 FR 86117	12/12/2023
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 29306	04/22/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 9

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
"No Catch" Reports
Amendments to exempt fishing permits
Annual Reports	N/A	HMS EFP Annual Report
Departure notification to NMFS enforcement for collection of display animals
EFP, SRP, LOA and Display Permit Applications	N/A	EFP, SRP, LOA & Display Permit Requirements & Application
Interim Reports	N/A	HMS EFP, SRP and Display Permit Interim Report & Instructions
Notification calls to the Southeast Fisheries Science Center for observer coverage
Scientific Research Plans
Shark Research Fishery Permit Application	N/A	FEDERAL ATLANTIC SHARK RESEARCH PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION

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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	421	421	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	226	226	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: $60,677

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.     Yes

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.     Yes

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: 08/13/2025

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