0545 revision 080711 ss rev

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
ALASKA ROCKFISH PROGRAM: PERMITS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0545

INTRODUCTION
NMFS manages the groundfish fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the coast of
Alaska under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area and the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The
FMPs were prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) under the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) as
amended in 2006, became public law on January 12, 2007 (Public Law 109-479). Regulations
implementing these procedures are located at 50 CFR part 679.
Previous to the Rockfish Pilot Program, NMFS managed rockfish fisheries under the License
Limitation Program (LLP) (see OMB 0648-0334). Harvesters with LLP licenses competed with
each other for the total allowable catch (TAC) assigned to the fishery. Harvesters increased the
fishing capacity of their vessels to outcompete other vessels, resulting in an accelerated rate of
fishing as fishermen raced to harvest more fish than their competitors. Similarly, processors
increased their processing capacity to outcompete other processors. This reduced the ability of
harvesters and processors to extract additional value from the fishery products because the TAC
was harvested and processed quickly.
Under the LLP, participants of the Central Gulf of Alaska (CGOA) rockfish fisheries fished
almost exclusively trawl gear. Participation in the fisheries required an LLP license with the
requisite gear, area, and operating mode (catcher vessel or catcher/processor) endorsements, and
designations. In addition, the LLP limits participation, based on length of the qualifying vessel.
In Section 802 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108–199), the U.S.
Congress directed the Secretary of Commerce to establish, in consultation with the Council, a
pilot program for management of the rockfish fisheries in the CGOA. The CGOA Rockfish Pilot
Program (Pilot Program) provided exclusive harvesting and processing privileges for a specific
set of rockfish species, associated species, and Pacific halibut harvested incidentally to those
CGOA rockfish in an area from 140º W long. to 168º W. long. Section 802 authorized the Pilot
Program for two years, from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008.
In 2007, the Pilot Program was implemented. The Pilot Program intended to enhance resource
conservation and improve economic efficiency for harvesters and processors who participate in
the program. Allocations of the primary rockfish (Pacific Ocean perch, Northern Rockfish, and
Pelagic rockfish) and important incidental catch species (i.e., sablefish, Pacific cod, shortraker
and rougheye rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish) are divided between the catcher vessel sector
and the catcher/processor sector. In addition, each sector is allocated halibut prohibited species
catch (PSC) based on historic catch of halibut in the target rockfish fisheries. Participants in each
sector can either fish as part of a cooperative or in a competitive, open-access fishery.
1

The Magnuson-Stevens Act, in Section 303a, extended the Pilot Program for another three years,
until December 31, 2011. The Pilot Program provided benefits to shoreside processors,
catcher/processors, CGOA fishermen, and communities by allowing more rockfish and nonrockfish shoreside deliveries over an extended period of time, which, in turn, allowed for a more
stable workforce and slower processing. Product quality and diversity increased. CGOA
fishermen and processors noted fewer conflicts with other fisheries, especially salmon which
traditionally overlapped with rockfish efforts. Catcher/processors noted greater spatial and
temporal flexibility that resulted in lower bycatch numbers, more stable markets, and a rational
distribution of efforts.
Amendment 88 to the GOA FMP will implement the Rockfish Program as recommended by the
Council to replace the existing Pilot Program. The new Rockfish Program would be authorized
for ten years: from January 1, 2012, until December 31, 2021. All Rockfish Program permits
would expire ten years after the implementation of the Rockfish Program and would need to be
renewed before expiration. The principal target rockfish species for this action are Pacific Ocean
perch, Northern rockfish, and the pelagic shelf rockfish assemblage.
This action is a revision of the information collection due to an associated proposed rule, RIN
0648-BA97.
A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
The Rockfish Program is a limited access privilege program that applies use caps to limit the
amount of rockfish quota share (QS) and cooperative quota (CQ) that may be utilized by
harvesters and processors. The intent of the use caps under the Rockfish Program is to limit the
degree of consolidation that could occur in the CGOA rockfish fisheries. These use caps would
balance the goals of improving economic efficiency, maintaining employment opportunities for
vessel crew, and providing financially affordable access opportunities for new participants.
NMFS would require eligible rockfish harvesters, cooperatives, processors, and
catcher/processor operators to submit information through the annual applications, cooperative
transfers, and annual reports. NMFS would use the information to enforce the use cap
provisions, to track primary rockfish species QS use, and dissuade eligible rockfish harvesters
from forming corporate arrangements that would frustrate the goal of the use caps.
Consolidation of the fleet may occur as a result of the cooperative structure and transferability of
shares between and within cooperatives. Reducing the number of vessels in the fleet may
improve the overall economic efficiency of the sector. Production efficiency may improve as the
most efficient rockfish vessels harvest more of the sector’s allocation. The owners of these
vessels may lease (or otherwise contract) the harvest privileges assigned to other vessels to
achieve these efficiencies. Since most sector vessels participate in several fisheries, consolidation
in the rockfish fishery is not likely to affect the number of jobs on participating vessels.

2

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.
The Rockfish Program includes the following fisheries:
♦

A rockfish cooperative in the catcher/processor sector;

♦

A rockfish cooperative in the catcher vessel sector;

♦

The rockfish opt-out fishery; and

♦

The rockfish entry-level longline fishery.

Application forms described in this document are available on the NMFS Alaska Region website
at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov or by contacting NMFS at 800-304-4846, Option 2.
Upon completion, the applications may be submitted to NMFS by one of the following methods,
as appropriate: online, by mail, by delivery/courier, or by fax. A completed application must be
received by NMFS by the deadline for each permit. For those applications submitted by mail,
fax, or hand delivery, NMFS will not consider an application as “received by the deadline” if the
applicant cannot provide objective written evidence that NMFS Alaska Region received it. Proof
of a timely application is:
♦ Application delivered by hand delivery or carrier -- is timely based on the receiving date
of signature by NMFS staff
♦ Application submitted by mail or fax – is timely based on the postmark or date stamped
received by NMFS.
a. Application for Rockfish Quota Share (QS)
The procedures for the Application for Rockfish Quota Share (QS) were established under the
Pilot Program to identify participants, and then the application was removed from the collection.
The term “quota share” is used to describe the Rockfish Program’s multi-year exclusive harvest
privileges based on historic harvest activities, consistent with similar North Pacific programs.
Rockfish QS would be an attribute of the LLP license. Once NMFS calculates the amount QS to
allocate to an LLP license, NMFS would modify that LLP license and designate that amount on
the license. QS assigned to an LLP license could not be transferred independent from that LLP
license, except to comply with the use caps. Rockfish QS assigned to an LLP license provides a
harvest privilege, not a right, to its holder and would not confer a guaranteed harvest to the
holder of that QS.
QS would be the basis for the annual calculation of the amount of fish that may be harvested or
used if the QS were assigned to a rockfish cooperative. Once QS is assigned to an LLP license,
it would authorize that LLP license holder to participate in the Rockfish Program. If an LLP
3

license holder assigned that LLP license, and its associated QS, to a cooperative with other LLP
license holders, the sum of the QS of all of the eligible harvesters would yield CQ – an exclusive
annual catch limit of rockfish primary species, secondary species, and halibut PSC that could be
harvested by the members of the rockfish cooperative. Cooperatives would be formed by
eligible harvesters holding LLP licenses in the same sector, either the catcher/processor sector or
the catcher vessel sector.
NMFS requires submittal of an Application for Rockfish Quota Share to participate in the
Rockfish Program by potentially eligible processors and harvesters. Eligibility to receive QS is
based on the official record of legal landings of CGOA primary rockfish species associated with
an LLP license. A person is eligible to receive Rockfish QS if:
♦ that person held an permanent, fully transferable LLP license endorsed for CGOA
groundfish with a trawl designation at the time of application;
♦ a vessel made legal landings of primary rockfish species under the authority of that LLP
license during a specific time period; and
♦ that person submitted a timely application that is subsequently approved by NMFS.
NMFS will mail a Rockfish QS application package to all potentially eligible processor and
harvester LLP license holders based on the address on record at the time the application period
opens. An eligible rockfish harvester may apply to participate in only one fishery per year with
an LLP license and its associated QS. The application would be valid for one year.
The Application for Rockfish QS may be submitted by mail, fax, or hand delivery or carrier. An
eligible LLP license holder must submit to NMFS a timely and complete rockfish QS
application. The application must be received by NMFS no later than 5:00 p.m. (1700 hours)
Alaska local time (A.l.t.) on January 3, 2012, or postmarked by that date.
Rockfish QS cannot be transferred separate from the LLP license. See OMB Control No. 06480334 for more information on the transfer of an LLP with rockfish QS for the very limited
exception that allows a person issued over the Rockfish QS use cap to transfer a portion of the
Rockfish QS over the cap to another LLP license.
A completed application must contain the following information.
Application for Rockfish Quota Share (QS)
Eligibility type (check one)
Indicate whether applying to receive Rockfish QS
in the catcher/processor sector or
in the catcher vessel sector
Indicate whether participant holds an LLP license in the entry level trawl fishery
Block A -- Applicant identification.
Applicant's name and NMFS person ID
Taxpayer ID number (EIN or SSN)
Permanent business mailing address
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail (if available)
If applicant is a U.S. citizen, enter date of birth

4

If applicant is a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual business entity
enter date of incorporation
If applicant is a successor-in-interest to a deceased individual or to a non-individual
no longer in existence, attach death certificate or evidence of dissolution
Block B -- Agreement With Rockfish Program Official Record (check one)
Indicate if you agree with the Rockfish Program Official Record Summary
If you do not agree with the Rockfish Program Official Record Summary, attach a separate page explaining
your disagreement
If you did not receive a Rockfish Program Official Record Summary, attach a separate page explaining the
basis for your eligibility
Block C – Rockfish Entry Level Trawl Fishery (check one)
If applying to participate in the Rockfish Program, indicate whether you hold an LLP license that made
rockfish legal landings during the fishery seasons listed in Table 28a or Table 28b
If YES, indicate whether you wish to receive Rockfish QS based on rockfish legal landings listed in
Table 28a or Table 28b
Indicate if applying not to receive rockfish QS (entry level trawl fishery only)
Block D – Claimed LLP licenses and vessel legal rockfish landings
LLP license number
Original qualifying vessel (OQV)
Name of the vessel that gave rise to the LLP license
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) vessel registration number
United States Coast Guard (USCG) documentation number
Dates when landings were made under this LLP license in 2000 and 2001
Other vessels used under the authority of this LLP license
Name of vessel
ADF&G vessel registration number
USCG documentation numbers of all other vessels
Dates when landings were made under this LLP license in 2000 and 2001
Block E – Applicant certification.
Print the applicant’s name, signature, and date signed
If a representative, attach authorization
Application for Rockfish QS, Respondent
Number of respondents
48 catcher vessels
12 catcher/processors
8 shoreside processors and SFPs
Total annual responses
Number responses per respondent = 1
Total burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost (136 x 25)
Total miscellaneous costs (77.30)
Postage cost (0.44 x 50 = 22)
FAX cost ($6 x 8 = 48)
Online cost (0.05 x 10 = 0.50)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2 x 68 = 6.80)

68

68
136 hr
$3,400
$77

Application for Rockfish QS, Federal Government
Total annual responses
68
Total burden hours
34 hr
Time per response = 30 min
Total personnel cost (34 x $25)
$850
Total miscellaneous cost
0

5

b. Application for Rockfish Cooperative Fishing Quota (CQ).
The procedures for the Application for Rockfish CQ were established under the Pilot Program
(see http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/rockfish/cqapp.pdf), and NMFS would continue
them under the Rockfish Program.
A Rockfish CQ permit authorizes a rockfish cooperative to participate in the Rockfish Program.
NMFS will issue a CQ permit annually to a rockfish cooperative when the members of the
cooperative
♦ submit a complete and timely application for CQ that is subsequently approved by the
Regional Administrator.
♦ specify how much CQ the cooperative could harvest. The amount is based on the sum of
the QS of the cooperative members and any CQ that the rockfish cooperative
subsequently receives by transfer from another rockfish cooperative.
Cooperative quota (CQ) means for purposes of the Rockfish Program:
♦ The annual catch limit of a rockfish primary species or rockfish secondary species that
may be harvested by a rockfish cooperative while fishing under a CQ permit;
♦ The amount of annual halibut PSC that may be used by a rockfish cooperative in the
CGOA while fishing under a CQ permit.
Eligible harvesters holding LLP licenses in the same sector, either the catcher/processor sector or
the catcher vessel sector, may form a cooperative and obtain a Rockfish CQ permit. Eligible
license holders that do not join a cooperative are restricted from participating in that year’s
CGOA rockfish fishery. A cooperative is required to accept membership of any LLP license
holder eligible for the cooperative subject to the same terms and conditions as governing other
members. No minimum number of LLP licenses is required to form a cooperative. Once NMFS
issues an annual catch amount to a cooperative, it may be fished by members of the cooperative
or transferred to another cooperative.
Membership in a rockfish cooperative is voluntary. No person may be required to join a rockfish
cooperative. Members may leave a rockfish cooperative, but any CQ contributed by the rockfish
QS held by that member remains assigned to that rockfish cooperative for the remainder of the
calendar year.
An LLP license holder who receives Rockfish QS is required to assign all the QS associated with
the LLP license to a specific rockfish cooperative (or to the opt-out fishery if that LLP license is
assigned Rockfish QS designated for the catcher/processor sector). The LLP license holder
could not assign portions of Rockfish QS to different rockfish cooperatives within the same
sector or apportion the QS otherwise. Once an LLP license and its associated QS are assigned
for a year, the LLP license holder could not reassign the LLP license or QS to a different
cooperative during that year.

6

Each catcher vessel in the Rockfish Program is eligible for membership in a single cooperative.
A catcher vessel cooperative must form an association with a qualified shoreside processor with
a Federal processor permit (OMB 0648-0206). In order to receive Rockfish CQ, the shoreside
processor must be located within the boundaries of the City of Kodiak, Alaska, and have an
approved catch monitoring and control plan (OMB 0648-0330). This requirement is intended to
encourage harvesters and processors to discuss and possibly coordinate fishing plans as part of
the application process to form a rockfish cooperative.
The cooperative/processor associations are intended to ensure that a cooperative lands a
substantial portion of its catch with its members’ historical processor. The exact terms of the
association are subject to negotiation and are confidential to the parties. Because the cooperative
agreement requires the approval of the associated processor, these agreements may contain terms
defining cooperative landings requirements.
Upon NMFS’ approval of a CQ permit, the cooperative will receive a rockfish allocation. This
allocation will establish an annual catch limit of primary and secondary species based on the
collective catch history holdings of the LLPs held and contributed by the members of the
rockfish cooperative. In addition, the cooperative will receive allocated CQ for halibut
prohibited species catch (PSC) to be used while fishing for primary rockfish species or secondary
species. A CQ permit will list:
♦ the amount of rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species that may be
harvested and the amount of rockfish halibut PSC that may be used by the cooperative;
♦ the members of the rockfish cooperative;
♦ names of vessels which are authorized to fish under the CQ permit; and
♦ the rockfish eligible processor with whom that rockfish cooperative is associated, if
applicable.
A vessel named on a CQ permit is considered to be actively engaged in fishing the CQ for that
rockfish cooperative and would be subject to all observer, permitting, and reporting requirements
applicable to vessels fishing CQ. A person fishing CQ assigned to a rockfish cooperative must
maintain a legible copy of a current CQ permit onboard any vessel used to harvest any rockfish
primary species, or rockfish secondary species, or that uses any rockfish CQ halibut.
A rockfish cooperative must meet the following legal and organizational requirements before it
is eligible to receive CQ:
♦ Must be formed as a partnership, corporation, or other legal business entity that is
registered under the laws of one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
♦ Must appoint an individual as designated representative to act on the rockfish
cooperative's behalf and serve as contact
Cooperatives are intended to conduct and coordinate fishing of their member’s allocations, and
may not be formed under the Fishermen’s Collective Marketing Act and therefore may not
7

negotiate prices. Cooperative members are jointly and severally liable for the harvest of the
cooperative’s allocation.
A rockfish cooperative must submit to NMFS for approval a completed application for Rockfish
CQ, including all amendments, to be received by NMFS no later than March 1. A complete
application includes prior payment of any rockfish cost recovery fees due as required under
§ 679.85.
The cooperative is required to attach a Cooperative Agreement with the Application for Rockfish
CQ. A Cooperative Agreement has a one-year term and must include a fishing plan, a
monitoring plan for the harvest of the cooperative’s allocation, and a plan for payment of cost
recovery fees. A cooperative may include fishing practice codes of conduct in its membership
agreement.
If an eligible vessel is added or removed from a rockfish cooperative, the representative must
submit to NMFS for approval an amended application for CQ
The Application for Rockfish CQ may be submitted by mail, fax, or hand delivery/carrier.
Application for Rockfish Cooperative Fishing Quota (CQ)
Attachments
This is a checklist of documents to attach to the application
Block A – Rockfish Cooperative Identification
Rockfish cooperative's legal name and NMFS Person ID
Type of business entity under which cooperative is organized
State in which legally registered as a business entity
Date of incorporation
Name authorized representative
Permanent business address
Business telephone number and business fax number
Business e-mail address (if available)
Block B – Members of the Rockfish Cooperative (LLP holder and ownership documentation)
Full name and NMFS Person ID
LLP license number(s),
Names of all persons, to the individual level, holding an ownership interest in the LLP license(s)
assigned to the rockfish cooperative
Percentage ownership each person and individual holds in the LLP license(s)
Block C – Identification of rockfish cooperative member vessels
Vessel name
ADF&G number of vessel
USCG number of vessel
Block D – Shoreside Processor associates of the rockfish cooperative.
Processor name and NMFS Person ID
Facility name
ADF&G processor code
Block E – Certification of cooperative authorized representative
Printed name and signature of authorized representative and date signed
Attach authorization
Block F – Certification of processor associate’s authorized representative
Printed name and signature of authorized representative and date signed
Attach authorization

8

Application for Rockfish CQ, Respondent
Number of respondents
Total annual responses (1 response per respondent)
Total burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost ($25 x 12)
Total miscellaneous costs (222.24)
Postage cost (0.88 x 3 = 2.64)
Fax cost ($6 x 12 pages x 3 = 216)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 12 pages x 6 = 3.60)
Application for Rockfish CQ, Federal Government
Total responses
Total burden hours (0.5 x 6 = 3)
Time per response = 30 min
Total personnel cost ($25 x 3)
Total miscellaneous cost

6
6
12 hr
$300
$222

6
3 hr
$75
0

c. Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of Rockfish CQ.
The procedures for the Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of Rockfish CQ were
established under the Pilot Program (see
http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/rockfish/coopcqtransferapp.pdf), and NMFS would
continue them under the Rockfish Program.
If a cooperative seeks to receive CQ by transfer, the cooperative must have a minimum of two
assigned LLP licenses. This limitation would encourage cooperative formation among LLP
license holders by providing them greater flexibility to transfer CQ to meet operational demands.
A cooperative may only transfer or receive by transfer an annual catch amount if the cooperative
submits an Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of CQ to NMFS. Transfer of CQ would
be valid only during the calendar year of the transfer.
Once NMFS issues CQ to a rockfish cooperative, the CQ may be fished by members of the
rockfish cooperative or transferred to another rockfish cooperative. A rockfish cooperative in the
catcher vessel sector, however, could not transfer CQ to a rockfish cooperative in the
catcher/processor sector. Similarly, a rockfish cooperative in the catcher/processor sector could
not transfer rougheye or shortraker CQ to a rockfish cooperative in the catcher vessel sector.
A rockfish cooperative may transfer all or part of its CQ to another rockfish cooperative.
In order for an inter-cooperative transfer to be approved, both parties must be already established
and recognized by NMFS as a cooperative prior to the transfer. A rockfish cooperative could
only transfer CQ if the transfer would not cause the receiving rockfish cooperative to exceed its
use cap limitations.
The Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of CQ must be submitted to NMFS online using
an electronic online transfer application available on the NMFS Alaska Region website at
http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. When using the online submittal method, the NMFS Person ID

9

and transfer key take the place of a signature and certify that all information is true, correct, and
complete.
Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of CQ
Block A -- Identification of transferor
Name and NMFS Person ID of cooperative
Name of designated representative
Permanent business mailing address; a temporary mailing address may be included, if appropriate
Business telephone number and business fax number
Business e-mail address
Block B -- Identification of transferee
Name and NMFS Person ID
Name of designated representative
Permanent business mailing address; a temporary mailing address may be included, if appropriate
Business telephone number and business fax number
Business e-mail address
Block C -- Identification of Rockfish Cooperative member
Name and NMFS person ID of member to whose use cap the rockfish cooperative CQ will be applied
Amount of CQ applied (in mt)
Block D – CQ to be transferred
Identify the type and amount to be transferred
primary species
secondary species
rockfish halibut PSC CQ
Block E -- Certification of transferor
Signature of transferor and date signed
Printed name of transferor (or authorized representative); if representative, attach authorization
Block F -- Certification of transferee
Signature of transferee and date signed
Signature of eligible rockfish processor and date signed
Printed name of transferee (or authorized representative); if representative, attach authorization
Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of
Rockfish CQ, Respondent
Number of respondents
Total annual responses (3 x 6)
3 transfers per coop per season estimated
Total annual time burden hours
Time per response = 1 hr
Total personnel cost (18 x $25)
Total miscellaneous cost (2.70)
Online (0.05 x 18 = 0.90)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2 pp x 18 =1.80)
Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of
Rockfish CQ, Federal Government
Total responses
Total burden hours
Time per response = 30 min
Total personnel cost ($25 x 9)
Total miscellaneous cost

10

6
18
18 hr
$450
$3

18
9
$225
0

d. Application for rockfish limited access fishery [REMOVED]
Under the Pilot Program structure, catcher/processors that chose not to join a cooperative were
permitted to fish in a limited access fishery or opt-out of the fishery for the season. The Council
eliminated the limited access fishery, because the fishery created unintended incentives for the
catcher/processor sector to avoid joining a cooperative.
e. Application for rockfish entry-level fishery [REMOVED]
An application for the rockfish entry-level fishery is removed. A new procedure, entitled the
rockfish entry-level longline fishery, replaces the application process,. No form exists for this
application.
f. Rockfish entry-level longline fishery [NO FORM]
Harvesters and processors not eligible to receive rockfish QS under the Pilot Program, but which
hold an LLP license, may participate in a small entry-level longline-gear fishery for Central
GOA rockfish. QS assigned to the entry level longline fishery would not result in an annual
exclusive allocation.
The entry level longline fishery will be conducted as a competitive, limited-access fishery that
will open on January 1 of each year. NMFS will manage this fishery similarly to other
competitive fisheries in the GOA, except that participants would not be required to submit an
annual application in order to take part in the fishery. This may improve entry into these fisheries
by removing an application deadline that would prevent a vessel from opportunistically deciding
to enter the fishery mid-season.
If a longline gear participant targets rockfish primary species in the Central GOA, then the catch
would be deducted from the entry level longline TAC. If the longline participant is not directed
fishing for rockfish primary species, and instead targets a different species such as Pacific cod,
then the catch would be deducted from the ICA. NMFS will use existing recordingkeeping and
reporting (mostly eLandings) to monitor this fishery. Monitoring provisions are necessary for
accurate catch accounting and to monitor compliance with the Rockfish Program.
Unlike catcher vessels fishing in cooperatives, participants in the entry-level longline gear
fishery may deliver to any shorebased processing facility in any community and are not restricted
to delivery to a Kodiak processor. The longline gear sector typically consists of relatively small
vessels. The CGOA extends to areas that are distant from Kodiak, but close to other ports such
as Homer and Seward. Requiring entry-level participants to comply with a landing requirement
within the boundaries of Kodiak might pose too great of an expense for the participants and
expose participants to unacceptable risks.
g. Application to Opt-out of Rockfish Fishery
The procedures for the Application to Opt-out of the Rockfish Fishery CQ were established
under the Pilot Program (see http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/rockfish/optoutapp.pdf)
and NMFS would continue them under the Rockfish Program.

11

Eligible catcher/processors could choose to “opt-out” of the Rockfish Program, forgoing the
opportunity to fish CGOA rockfish. Participants that choose to opt-out are subject to two-week
stand-downs in the GOA fisheries if the vessel or LLP license does not have prior participation
(except fixed gear sablefish).
A rockfish eligible harvester who holds an LLP license assigned rockfish QS who intends to optout of the Rockfish Program for a calendar year must submit an Application to Opt-out. When a
participant ‘opts-out,’ any allocation that would have been made to a cooperative, based on the
history of the participant, is redistributed to other participants in the sector. NMFS will assign the
LLP license and any Rockfish QS assigned to that LLP license, to the opt-out fishery for a
calendar year if that rockfish eligible harvester did not designate that LLP license on a timely and
complete application for CQ for that calendar year.
The Application to Opt-out of the Rockfish Fishery may be submitted by mail, fax, or hand
delivery/carrier.
A completed application must contain the following information:
Application to Opt-out of Rockfish Fishery
Applicant identification
Name and NMFS person ID
Permanent business mailing address
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail (if available)
If U.S. citizen, enter date of birth
If U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other non-individual business entity, enter date of incorporation
Indicate if an eligible rockfish harvester
Indicate if opting-out of the Rockfish Program
Indicate if applicant holds an LLP license with rockfish QS assigned to the catcher/processor sector
Vessel information
Name of vessel
ADF&G vessel registration number
USCG documentation number
LLP license number(s)
LLP holdership documentation.
Names of all persons, to the individual level, holding an ownership interest in the LLP license
Percentage ownership each person and individual holds in the LLP license
Applicant certification.
Printed name and signature of applicant and date signed
If a designated representative, attach authorization
Application to Opt-out of Rockfish Fishery,
Respondent
Number of respondents
Total annual responses
Total burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost ($25 x 2 = 50)
Total miscellaneous costs (0.54)
Postage cost (0.44 x 1 = 0.44
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 2pp x 1 = 0.10

12

1
1
2 hr
$50
$1

Application to Opt-out of Rockfish Fishery,
Federal Government
Total responses
Total burden hours (0.5)
Time per response = 30 min
Total personnel cost ($25 x 1)
Total miscellaneous cost

1
1 hr
$25
0

h. Rockfish Cooperative Termination of Fishing Declaration [REMOVED]
The procedures for the Rockfish Cooperative Termination of Fishing Declaration were
established under the Pilot Program. NMFS will continue these procedures under the Rockfish
Program, except that this form and the check-in/check-out report would be combined into one
form (see i. below).
i. Rockfish Cooperative Vessel Check-in Report, Check-out Report, or Termination of
Fishing Declaration
The procedures for the Rockfish Cooperative Vessel Check-in/Check-out Report were
established under the Pilot Program (see
http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/rr/forms/rockfish_checkin.pdf) and NMFS would continue
them under the Rockfish Program.
NMFS requires a Rockfish Program cooperative to designate a vessel fishing under the authority
of a CQ permit. This procedure is necessary because vessels fish in both Rockfish Program
fisheries and non-Rockfish Program fisheries (e.g., pollock, Pacific cod, and various flatfish
fisheries) that do not require the same catch monitoring provisions. NMFS will no longer limit
the number of check-in or check-out reports for a vessel in a season, because the electronic
submission of the check-in and check-out report makes tracking of vessel status more efficient.
Check-in Report
The designated representative of a rockfish cooperative must designate any vessel that is fishing
under the rockfish cooperative's CQ permit before that vessel may fish under that CQ permit.
The designated representative must submit a check-in form for a vessel at least 48 hours prior to
the time the vessel begins a fishing trip to fish under a CQ permit. This check-in provides
adequate time for NMFS to properly track and account for catch against a Rockfish cooperative
CQ permit. A check-in designation for a vessel is effective at the beginning of the first fishing
trip after the designation is submitted.
Check-out Report
The designated representative of a rockfish cooperative must specify any vessel that is no longer
fishing under a CQ permit for that rockfish cooperative. A check-out report must be submitted
within 6 hours after the effective date and time the rockfish cooperative wishes to end the
vessel's authority to fish under the CQ permit.

13

♦ If fishing under a CQ permit for a catcher vessel cooperative, a check-out designation is
effective at the end of a complete offload.
♦ If fishing under a CQ permit for a catcher/processor cooperative, a check-out designation
is effective at the end of the week-ending date as reported in a production report, or the
end of a complete offload, whichever occurs first.
Rockfish Cooperative Termination of Fishing Declaration
The procedures for the Rockfish Cooperative Termination of Fishing Declaration were
established under the Pilot Program. NMFS would continue these procedures under the Rockfish
Program with some modification. This declaration is incorporated into the check-in/check-out
report rather than being a separate form.
A Rockfish cooperative may choose to terminate its CQ permit prior to the end of the fishing
season through a declaration submitted to NMFS. NMFS will review the declaration and notify
the rockfish cooperative's designated representative once the declaration has been approved.
Each check-in report, check-out report, and termination of fishing declaration must be submitted
online. The designated representative must log into the system and create a vessel check-in
request, vessel check-out request, or termination of fishing declaration as indicated on the
computer screen. By using the transferor's NMFS ID, password, and submitting the request, the
designated representative certifies that all information is true, correct, and complete
Rockfish Cooperative Vessel Check-in/Check-out/Termination Report
Block A – Cooperative Information
Name of cooperative, CQ permit number (group ID), and NMFS Person ID
Name and signature of cooperative representative
Permanent business address
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address
Block B – Vessel Information
Name of vessel
Federal Fisheries Permit number
ADF&G vessel registration number
USCG documentation number
Block C -- Vessel Check-IN or Vessel Check-OUT (indicate which)
Date effective
Time effective
Block D -- Termination of Fishing Declaration.
Date the declaration is submitted

14

Rockfish Cooperative Check-in/Check-out Report,
Respondent
Number of respondents
6
Total annual responses
408
Check-in/out responses = 66 x 6 = 396
Termination responses = 2 x 6 = 12
Total annual time burden hours (68)
68 hr
Time per response = 10 min
Total personnel cost (68 x $25)
$1,700
Total miscellaneous cost (40.80)
$41
Online cost (0.05 x 408 = 20.40)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 1 pp x 408 = 20.40)
Rockfish Cooperative Check-in/Check-out Report,
Federal Government
Total annual responses
Total annual time burden hours
Time per response = 15 min
Total personnel cost (102 x $25)
Total miscellaneous cost

408
102 hr
$2,550
0

j. Rockfish Cooperative Report
The procedures for the Rockfish Cooperative Report were established under the Pilot Program,
and NMFS would continue them under the Rockfish Program.
A rockfish cooperative permitted in the Rockfish Program (see § 679.4(n)(1)) annually must
submit to the Regional Administrator an annual rockfish cooperative report detailing the use of
the cooperative's CQ by December 15 of each year. No form exists for this information.
The annual rockfish cooperative report may be submitted by mail, fax, or delivery.
Annual Rockfish Cooperative Report
Cooperative's CQ
Sideboard limit (if applicable)
Any rockfish sideboard fishery harvests made by the rockfish cooperative vessels on a vessel-by-vessel basis
The cooperative's actual retained and discarded catch of CQ and sideboard limit on an area-by-area and
vessel-by-vessel basis
Describe method used to monitor fisheries in which cooperative vessels participated
Describe private, civil actions taken by the cooperative in response to any members that exceeded their
allowed catch
Annual Rockfish Cooperative Report, Respondent
Number of respondents
6
Total annual responses
6
Total annual time burden hours
240 hr
Time per response = 40 hr
Total personnel cost (240 x $25)
$6,000
Total miscellaneous cost (12.78)
$13
Postage cost (1.76 x 3 = 5.28)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 25 pages x 6 = 7.50)

15

Annual Rockfish Cooperative Report, Federal
Government
Total annual responses
Total annual time burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost (12 x $25)
Total miscellaneous cost

6
12 hr
$300
0

k. Rockfish Cooperative Catch Report [REMOVED]
The procedures for the Rockfish Cooperative Catch Report were established under the Pilot
Program. Operators of catcher/processors and managers of shoreside processors or stationary
floating processors authorized to receive fish harvested under a CQ permit in the Rockfish
Program were required to submit Rockfish Cooperative Catch Report detailing each
cooperative’s delivery and discard of fish.
The Rockfish Coop Catch Report is no longer included in the Rockfish Program, because the
information formerly obtained in the Coop Catch Report is now provided through other
reporting systems, namely eLandings (see OMB 0648-0515).
l. Rockfish Cost Recovery and Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report
Use of a standard ex-vessel price is allowed under sections 303A and 304(d)(2) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. Ex-vessel prices will fluctuate with market conditions, so the fee
percentage may change throughout the season. NMFS will establish the fee percentage for
rockfish based on the prior year’s costs and ex-vessel values. A fee, not to exceed 3 percent of
ex vessel value, will be charged on all program landings, to cover the costs of administration of
the program.
The primary components of the Rockfish Cost Recovery are:
♦ Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report from each Shoreside Processor.
The Rockfish Program would collect data from shoreside processors using an annual
Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report on rockfish primary species and rockfish
secondary species CQ ex-vessel value.
♦ Rockfish Fee from each Cooperative
NMFS will assess a fee against rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species
cooperative quota (CQ) caught by rockfish cooperatives. Pacific halibut prohibited
species catch (PSC) CQ will not be subject to a cost recovery fee, because halibut is not
retained for sale and, therefore, does not have an ex-vessel value. NMFS will assess
management costs and assign the appropriate fee to each rockfish cooperative. Full
payment of a cost recovery fee liability is required from each rockfish CQ holder.
Rockfish Quota Share (QS) holders may join a cooperative and receive an exclusive harvest
privilege, even if those participants choose not to fish in a cooperative. Participants fishing in
either the limited access fishery or under a cooperative will be subject to cost recovery fees based
on their catch. Those participants that do not fish, (e.g., those participants that opt-out) will not
16

be subject to cost recovery fees, because they do not harvest species that are managed under the
Rockfish Program. Only eligible harvesters holding LLP licenses designated for the
catcher/processor sector could choose to participate in the opt-out fishery. Entry-level longline
participants who do not hold a limited access privilege will not be responsible for cost recovery
fees.
The Rockfish Pilot Program did not include a cost recovery program because it was originally
conceived as an experimental, two-year program. The new Rockfish Program will be authorized
for ten years.
Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report
Shoreside processors that receive rockfish CQ must submit to NMFS an annual Rockfish Exvessel Volume and Value Report that details the ex-vessel value of harvests and the price paid
for rockfish primary and secondary species summarized by month for five months (May through
September). Each shoreside processor receiving fish harvested under a rockfish CQ permit
would be required to submit this report no later than December 1 of each year.
NMFS would generate the average price paid per pound for all shoreside processors receiving
rockfish primary and secondary species CQ. NMFS would scale the average price in proportion
to the amount of landings receiving that price during the month.
Shoreside processors must submit the Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report online such
that it is received by the NMFS Regional Administrator no later than December 1 of the year in
which the rockfish processor received the rockfish CQ groundfish. To submit this report online,
the rockfish processor must log in to http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov using the Rockfish
Processor's password and NMFS person ID. Instead of a signature, the rockfish processor enters
the NMFS ID and password. By submitting the report, the processor certifies that all
information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief.
Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report
Rockfish processor identification
Name and NMFS Person ID of shoreside processor
Rockfish CQ permit number
Business mailing address; indicate whether permanent or temporary
Port location
Business telephone number, business fax number, and business e-mail address (if available)
Certification
Printed name, signature, and date signed
Rockfish Program Pounds Purchased and Ex-vessel Value
For each primary and secondary species by landing period, enter
Pounds (round weight)
Total gross ex-vessel value paid

17

Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report,
Respondent
Number of respondents
Total annual responses
Response per year = 1
Total burden hours
Time per response = 2 hr
Total personnel cost ($25/hr)
Total miscellaneous costs (0.60)
Online cost (0.05 x 6 = 0.30)
Photocopy cost (0.05 x 6 = 0.30
Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report,
Federal Government
Total responses
Total burden hours (0.5 hr)
Time per response = 5min
Total personnel cost ($25/hr)
Total miscellaneous cost

6
6
12 hr
$300
$1

6
$1
$25
0

m. Rockfish Fee Submittal
All participants fishing under a rockfish cooperative are subject to rockfish cost recovery fees
based on their catch - up to 3 percent of the total ex-vessel value of the fishery. NMFS will
require each rockfish CQ holder (effectively each rockfish cooperative) to submit a rockfish fee
payment for all Rockfish CQ landings made under the authority of a Rockfish CQ permit.
Each year, NMFS would determine the total value of the rockfish fisheries subject to fee
collection by summing the total value for all rockfish primary and rockfish secondary species
harvested by all rockfish cooperatives during the previous year using the standard ex-vessel
prices.
NMFS would apply standard ex-vessel prices to the catcher/processor rockfish cooperatives.
Catcher/processors process catch at sea and do not use ex-vessel pricing to establish the value of
catch, because there is no processor receiving the catch and paying the harvester. After receiving
the annual Rockfish Value and Volume Report from each shoreside processor, NMFS will
inform each rockfish cooperative of the fee percentage applied to the previous year’s landings
and the total amount due (fee liability). NMFS will provide a summary to all rockfish CQ permit
holders during the first quarter of the year following the calendar year in which the rockfish CQ
landings were made. The summary will explain the fee liability determination -- including the
current fee percentage, details of rockfish primary species, rockfish secondary species, and CQ
pounds debited from rockfish CQ allocations by permit, species, date, and price. NMFS will
provide the fee liability summary before fees are due on February 15 of each year.
This standard ex-vessel price would apply to all rockfish primary and secondary CQ landings
made, starting in 2012. NMFS would use a standard ex-vessel price rather than specific actual
price data provided by each rockfish CQ holder. The use of an actual ex-vessel price would
require that the rockfish CQ holder document all landings and prices. Based on NMFS'
18

experience with the halibut and sablefish IFQ program, very few IFQ holders subject to fee
collection have used actual prices.
NMFS will return any amount submitted in excess of the rockfish cost recovery fee to the
rockfish CQ permit holder, unless the permit holder requests the agency to credit the excess
amount against the permit holder's future rockfish cost recovery fee liability.
A Rockfish CQ permit holder must submit any rockfish cost recovery fee payment(s) to NMFS
no later than February 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the Rockfish CQ
landings were made. NMFS cannot assess penalties until at least 30 days after a payment is due;
however any debit or credit to the fee collection account must be carried forward and applied
toward the fee percentage calculations for future years.
Failure to pay on time will result in the permit holder’s QS becoming non-transferable and the
person being ineligible to receive any additional QS by transfer. No rockfish QS holder will
receive any rockfish QS until the rockfish CQ holder submits full payment of the rockfish cost
recovery fee. If a rockfish CQ holder fails to submit full payment by the deadline, NMFS will
disapprove any transfer of rockfish CQ to or from the rockfish CQ permit holder. In addition, no
rockfish CQ permit will be issued to that rockfish CQ holder for that calendar year. And, no
rockfish CQ will be issued based on the rockfish QS held by the members of that rockfish
cooperative to any other rockfish CQ permit for that calendar year. If NMFS does not receive
payment by the 30th day after the final agency action, NMFS will refer the matter to the
appropriate authorities for purposes of collection.
Communication with NMFS will provide ample opportunity for each Rockfish permit holder to
reconcile his or her account. However, if the individual continues not to pay, NMFS will produce
a formal determination and state the amount due. Any such formal determination may be
appealed. If the formal determination is not appealed and the account remains unpaid or underpaid, the matter will be referred for collection.
NMFS would require that the fee be submitted online. Electronic payment would reduce
administrative costs borne by industry. All of the rockfish cooperatives operating under the Pilot
Program are familiar with, and regularly use, electronic submissions of various forms under the
Pilot Program. NMFS would extend this common practice to fee submission for the Rockfish
Program. Instructions for electronic payment would be made available on both the payment
website and a fee liability summary letter mailed to the rockfish CQ permit holder
The rockfish fee payments must be made electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region
website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Payment must be made in U.S. dollars by personal
check drawn on a U.S. bank account, money order, bank certified check, credit card, automated
clearing house, or electronic check drawn on a U.S. bank account. Instructions for electronic
payment is available on both the payment website and in a fee liability summary letter mailed to
each rockfish CQ permit holder.
No costs or burden for the six cooperatives are anticipated for this fee payment, other than a few
minutes to complete the fee submittal process online.

19

n. Appeals for denials of QS or CQ applications.
There is no change to this information collection: 1 respondent and response, 4 hours, $100
personnel costs and $1 miscellaneous costs.
It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to
support publicly disseminated information. As explained in the preceding paragraphs, the
information gathered has utility. NOAA Fisheries will retain control over the information and
safeguard it from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with NOAA
standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See response to Question 10
of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. The
information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality
guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information will be subjected to quality control measures
and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554.
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.
Applications are “fillable” on the computer screen by participant at the NMFS Alaska Region
Home Page at www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, then must be downloaded, printed, and mailed,
faxed, or delivered to NMFS.
Check-in/check-out reports, termination of fishing declarations, application for inter-cooperative
transfer and ex-vessel volume and value reports and fee payments must be filed online.
The Rockfish cooperative reports and appeals must be mailed or faxed.
Future plans include additional interactive permit applications completed through the Internet.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
This information collection is part of a specialized and technical program that is not like any
other.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
Twelve catcher/processors are eligible for the Rockfish Program regulated by this action; none
are small entities, as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). Thirty-two catcher vessels
eligible for the Rockfish Program are either members of a cooperative and, as such, are not
considered small entities for the purpose of the RFA, or had annual gross revenues of at least $4
million. The remaining 14 eligible catcher vessels are all considered small entities. It is likely
that some of these eligible 14 catcher vessels are affiliated through partnerships with other
entities, and would be considered large entities for the purpose of this action. In the absence of
complete ownership information, these affiliations cannot be definitively determined.
The reporting and recordkeeping mandates will not increase the burden on small entities,
20

because, by entering into contractual relationships, cooperatives are affiliations, and as such, are
subject to evaluation on the basis of the aggregate gross receipts of all members, worldwide. It is
highly unlikely that any cooperative will form in these fisheries which will qualify as a small
entity under RFA criteria. Any operators not joining a cooperative are already required to record
and report catch data. These reporting burdens will not change under the proposed action.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
The existing Pilot Program will sunset after 2011. Consequently, the Pilot Program management,
economic, safety, and conservation gains would disappear without the implementation of the
new Rockfish Program.
If the Rockfish Program is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, the benefits of the
program would be lost. The Rockfish Program would retain the Pilot Program gains, while also
considering the goals and limitations of the Magnuson-Stevens Act Limited Access Privilege
Program provisions. Some of the improvement under the Pilot Program are:
♦ improved safety at sea
♦ controlled capacity of the fleets
♦ improved NMFS’ ability to conserve and manage the species in the program
♦ increased vessel accountability
♦ reduced sea floor contact
♦ allowed full retention of allocated species
♦ reduced halibut bycatch
In addition, the rockfish fishery dependent community in the CGOA and the shorebased
processing sector have benefited from
♦ stabilization of the work force
♦ more shoreside deliveries of rockfish
♦ additional non-rockfish deliveries with the Pilot Program halibut savings
♦ increased rockfish quality and diversity of rockfish products
Moreover, the CGOA fishermen and the shorebased processing sector have benefited from the
removal of processing conflicts with GOA salmon production. The portion of the
catcher/processor sector currently participating in the rockfish cooperatives has also benefitted
from the Pilot Program, including greater spatial and temporal flexibility in prosecuting the
fishery, which result in
♦ lower bycatch
♦ a more rational distribution of effort
♦ more stable markets

21

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
No inconsistencies occur in this collection.
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.
NMFS Alaska Region will submit a proposed rule (RIN 0648-BA97) coincident with this
submission, requesting comments from the public.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payment or gift will be provided under this program.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
As stated on the forms and in the regulations, the information collected is confidential under
section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act(16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); and also under NOAA
Administrative Order (AO) 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of
fishery statistics.
All information collected is part of a system of records: NOAA #19, Permits and Registrations
for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries.
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.
This information collection does not involve information of a sensitive nature.
12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
Estimated total unique respondents, 74 (68 QS holders, 6 cooperatives), increased from 55.
Estimated total responses, 514, increased from 496. Estimated total burden, 492 hr, increased
from 408 hr. Estimated total personnel cost, $12,300 increased from $10,200.

22

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).
Estimated total miscellaneous costs $359, decreased from $681.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
NMFS estimates that the current annual costs for managing and enforcing the existing Pilot
Program at approximately $620,000 per year. This estimate includes regulatory development,
inseason management, permitting, database management, and enforcement. However,
management costs may be slightly lower because NMFS removed the limited access fishery.
Management of the limited access fishery, and the inseason management actions necessary to
manage that fishery, require substantially more time than oversight of cooperative allocations.
Estimated total burden, 187 hr, increased from 181 hr. Estimated total personnel cost, $6,550,
decreased from $7,033.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
Program changes: the Rockfish Pilot Program is replaced with the Rockfish Program. The
addition of the Application for Rockfish QS, the addition of the Volume And Value Report, and
the removal of Applications for Limited Access and Entry-Level Fisheries, as well as removal of
the Annual Cooperative Catch Report and Termination of Fishing Declaration, are program
changes. Termination of Fishing Declaration is combined into the form for check-in and checkout.
Adjustments are made in this collection, due in part to differences in numbers of participants
based on current permit counts and due to revisions to postage rates and online and fax costs. In
addition, this action corrects an error in the calculation of appeals personnel costs.
Burden changes due to program changes:
Application for Rockfish Quota Share [NEW]
an increase of 68 respondents and responses, 68 instead of 0
an increase of 136 hr burden, 136 instead of 0
an increase of $3,400 personnel costs, $3,400 instead of $0
an increase of $77 miscellaneous costs, $77 instead of $0
Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume & Value Report [NEW]
an increase of 6 respondents and responses, 6 instead of 0
an increase of 12 hr burden, 12 instead of 0
an increase of $300 personnel costs, $300 instead of $0
an increase of $1 miscellaneous costs, $1 instead of $0

23

Application for limited access fishery [REMOVED]
a decrease of 9 respondents and responses, 0 instead of 9
a decrease of 18 hr burden, 0 instead of 18 hr
a decrease of $450 personnel costs, $0 instead of $450
a decrease of $51 miscellaneous costs, $0 instead of $51
Application for entry-level fishery [REMOVED]
a decrease of 10 respondents and responses, 0 instead of 10
a decrease of 20 hr burden, 0 instead of 20 hr
a decrease of $500 personnel costs, $0 instead of $500
a decrease of $63 miscellaneous costs, $0 instead of $63
Annual rockfish cooperative catch report [REMOVED]
a decrease of 6 respondents, 0 instead of 6
a decrease of 45 responses, 0 instead of 45
a decrease of 23 hr burden, 0 instead of 23 hr
a decrease of $575 personnel costs, $0 instead of $575
a decrease of $69 miscellaneous costs, $0 instead of $69
Rockfish cooperative termination of fishing declaration [REMOVED]
a decrease of 2 respondents and responses, 0 instead of 2
a decrease of 4 hr burden, 0 instead of 1 hr
a decrease of $25 personnel costs, $0 instead of $25
a decrease of $12 miscellaneous costs, $0 instead of $12
Rockfish cooperative check-in report, check-out report, and terminate
an increase of 12 responses, 408 instead of 396
an increase of 2 hr burden, 68 hr instead of 66 hr
an increase of $50 personnel costs, $1,700 instead of $1,650
a decrease of $17 miscellaneous costs, $41 instead of $58
Burden changes due to adjustments:
Application for rockfish cooperative CQ
an increase of $2 miscellaneous costs, $222 instead of $220
Application for inter-cooperative transfer
a decrease of $13 miscellaneous costs, $3 instead of $16
Application to Opt-out
a decrease of 2 respondents and responses, 1 instead of 3
a decrease of 4 hr burden, 2 instead of 6 hr
a decrease of $100 personnel costs, $50 instead of $150
a decrease of $24 miscellaneous costs, $1 instead of $25
Annual rockfish cooperative report
a decrease of $153 miscellaneous costs, $13 instead of $166.

24

No change to this information collection: Appeals for denials of QS or CQ applications: 1
respondent and response, 4 hours, $100 personnel costs and $1 miscellaneous costs.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
NMFS would publish the rockfish fee percentage in the Federal Register that would determine
the total fee, up to 3 percent of the total ex-vessel value of the fishery, required from all rockfish
cooperatives based on landings of rockfish primary and secondary species CQ made in the
previous year. The fee percentage is the total percentage of ex-vessel value due for each pound
of rockfish primary and secondary species CQ made by a cooperative during the previous year.
With the halibut and sablefish IFQ cost recovery program, NMFS publishes the standard exvessel prices and the rockfish fee percentage in the same Federal Register notice in the first
quarter of the year, and NMFS anticipates using the same process for the Rockfish Program. The
fee percentage is the amount of the ex-vessel value that is due to NMFS based on the standard
ex-vessel value of the rockfish primary and secondary species CQ debited from all rockfish CQ
accounts relative to the actual costs directly related to the management, enforcement, and data
collection of the Rockfish Program.
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.
Not applicable.
B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
This collection does not employ statistical methods.

25