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.
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.