0361ss 072911

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
SOUTHWEST REGION VESSEL IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0361

A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
This request is for renewal of this information collection.
The success of fisheries management programs depends significantly on tracking catch and effort
of participants as well as their history of regulatory compliance. The vessel identification
requirement is essential to facilitate these objectives. The ability to link fishing or other activity
to the vessel owner or operator is crucial to enforcement of the regulations issued under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to govern
domestic and foreign fishing, and under authority of laws implementing international treaties.
2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will
be used. If the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to
support information that will be disseminated to the public, then explain how the
collection complies with all applicable Information Quality Guidelines.
In the domestic Southwest Region fisheries regulated under 50 CFR Part 660, the vessel's
official number is required to be displayed on the port and starboard sides of the
deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck. It identifies each vessel and
should be visible at distances at sea and in the air. The requirements affect U.S. vessels
participating in the West Coast HMS fisheries (and West Coast coastal pelagic fishing
vessels), with the exception of HMS Charter Recreational Vessels for which an exemption
was granted and became effective September 5, 2007 a. These vessels are no longer bound
by the vessel marking requirements under consideration.
The identification number provides law enforcement personnel with a means to monitor
fishing, at-sea processing, and other related activities, in order to ascertain whether the
vessel's observed activities are in accordance with those authorized for that vessel. The
identifying number is used by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the United
States Coast Guard (USCG), and other marine agencies in issuing citations, prosecutions,
and other enforcement actions (including State agencies). Vessels that qualify for
particular fisheries are readily identified, and this allows for more cost-effective
enforcement. Cooperating fishermen also use the number to report suspicious activities
that they observe. Regulation-compliant fishermen ultimately benefit as unauthorized and
illegal fishing is deterred and more burdensome regulations are avoided.

a

Copy of the final rule for this exemption can be found at 72FR43563

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Although the information collected (vessel identification number) is not confidential, it
will not be disseminated to the public. The information is strictly for enforcement purpose
or use by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries internally
in situations involving damage, loss, and civil proceedings
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the
use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other
forms of information technology.
The requirement that each vessel display an identification number on its deckhouse or hull,
and its weather deck, does not lend itself to collection of information technology.
Transponders and vessel monitoring system units are comparatively expensive and their
signals cannot be accessed directly by the USCG in the air or by its vessels at this time.
No other technology appears to be less costly and still capable of providing the necessary
information to support enforcement.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
There is no duplication with other collections. The USCG requires that the name of the
vessel be marked on its hull, and this requirement fulfills the USCG requirement.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities,
describe the methods used to minimize burden.
Most of the vessels are categorized as small businesses. The collection of information will
not have a significant impact on these small businesses, and no special modifications of
the requirements were considered necessary to accommodate their needs.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the
collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
NMFS and the USCG could not enforce the fisheries management measures if the
collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
No special circumstances require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent
with the OMB guidelines.

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8. Provide information on the PRA Federal Register Notice that solicited public
comments on the information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the
public comments received in response to that notice and describe the actions taken by
the agency in response to those comments. Describe the efforts to consult with
persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency
of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting
format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
A Federal Register Notice published on March 7, 2011 (76 FR 12339) solicited public
comment. No comments were received.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payments or gifts are provided.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis
for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
There is no assurance of confidentiality provided. This is public information.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as
sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly
considered private.
There are no sensitive questions.
12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
The estimated total number of vessels affected is 1,330, which includes approximately 15
purse seine fishing vessels, 1,185 troll/baitboat vessels (including about 800 hook-and-line
vessels), 100 drift gillnet vessels, and 30 harpoon vessels. For all but the purse seine
vessels, the burden is estimated at 45 minutes each (15 minutes for each of three locations
on the vessel). For the purse seine vessels, the burden is estimated at 1.25 hours (15
minutes for each of three locations on the vessel plus 15 minutes each for one skiff and
one helicopter). The total estimate burden therefore is:
1,315 vessels x 45 minutes
15 vessels x 1 hour, 15 minutes
Total

= 986 hours
= 19 hours
= 1,005 hours.

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13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in
Question 12 above).
The only cost to respondents is the cost of the paint to apply the vessel’s official number if
a new permit or to re-apply paint to the official number if part of routine maintenance. It
is assumed the vessel is equipped with paint brushes. At $9 per vessel, the cost would be
$11,970 ($9 x 1,330).
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
There is no cost to the Federal government.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
Adjustments: due to fewer vessels in the affected group – 1,330, down from 1,750 –
responses, burden and cost are now less.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation
and publication.
No results are published.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.
Not Applicable.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified.
There are no exceptions.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL
METHODS
This collection of information does not employ statistical methods.

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