Justification for Change

JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE
OMB CONTROL NO.: 0648-0323
ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS) TOURNAMENT
REGISTRATION FORM
The following modifications are request for this information collection:
1.

Availability of three vehicles for form submission to Atlantic HMS Tournament
Registration: (1) Physical address, (2) E-mail, and (3) Fax.

Justification: Modes of communication have expanded and an e-mail account for the tournament
registry is now available: HMStournamentregistry@noaa.gov. Tournament operators have been
made aware of its existence on a limited basis. Adding the e-mail address to the registration
form will make it easier for tournament operators to find and use. Tournament registration
reminder letters, sent annually, will also inform the public of this address availability and will
include a copy of the new registration form.
2.

“What names have been used for this event?” has been changed to “Former Event Name (if
applicable).”

Justification: The question has been changed for clearer and more concise wording.
3.

Roundscale spearfish has been included in the list of billfish species for which points or
prizes are awarded for fish released or landed.

Justification: On September 22, 2010, NMFS published an interpretive rule (RIN 0648-BA12)
adding roundscale spearfish (Tetrapturus georgii) to the HMS management unit. Roundscale
spearfish was previously considered to be the same species as white marlin. Roundscale
spearfish was added to the definitions in the implementing regulations of the Magnuson Stevens
Act, the Atlantic HMS regulations, and the Atlantic HMS management unit. Roundscale
spearfish will continue to be managed the same as white marlin and, consequently, included in
the tournament registration form with white marlin and other HMS.
4.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will post tournament information, such as
tournament name, date(s), city, state, and target species, to the public at:
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Tournaments/index.htm. Please direct website corrections to
(727) 824-5399.

Justification: This change has been made to provide recreational anglers and tournaments with
information that will better enable them to comply with fishing, reporting, and registration
requirements and to improve rates of tournament registration. Previously, HMS offered
tournament registrants the option of listing or not listing this information online. This option will
now be removed from the registration form. A line will be added informing registrants about the
change in practice and that the information will be made publicly available with a link to the
website and phone number for making any corrections to the website once posted.

5.

Director/Operator name and signature lines combined.

Justification: Maximization of available space.
There will be no change to burden or cost associated with these modifications.