Information is requested that will be
used in support of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
issuing Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, and
Letters of Acknowledgement regarding highly migratory species
(HMS), and that will also enhance and facilitate NMFS compliance
and enforcement capabilities regarding HMS scientific research and
exempted fishing activities. In addition, the information will
assist with future stock assessments. This action also changes the
collection name to: Highly Migratory Species Scientific Research
Permits,, Exempted Fishing Permits, Display Permits, Shark Research
Permits, and Letters of Acknowledgement.
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
The HMS Management Division
will be issuing shark research permits for a small shark research
fishery under Amendment 2 to the Consolidated HMS FMP. To be
selected to participate in this research fishery, current
commercial shark fishermen would need to apply annually for this
permit. NMFS assumes that any current directed or incidental shark
fishermen could apply for this permit (i.e., 529 applicants).
Therefore, the annual cost burden has increased from $68.45 (zero
in ROCIS) to $308.32 (a difference of $239.87). In addition, since
the number of applicants is expected to increase with the addition
of shark research permits, the burden hours associated with these
activities is now 536.4 (i.e., the burden hours have increased
367.8 hours from 168.6 burden hours to 536.4 burden hours). NOTE:
although the "burden reduction due to" box is checked above, there
IS no burden reduction other than from revising the original
combined IC to be one of several. But it was necessary to check the
box in order to submit the ICR.
$600
No
No
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Margo Schulz-Haugen 301
713-0234
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.