NMFS issues a proposed rule that would
implement Amendment 42 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering
Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP). If approved,
Amendment 42 would revise the annual economic data reports (EDRs)
currently required for each of the four categories of participants
in the Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program) fisheries: catcher
vessels, catcher/processors, shoreside processors, and stationary
floating crab processors. The EDRs include cost, revenue,
ownership, and employment data in order to study the economic
impacts of the CR Program on harvesters, processors, and affected
communities. This action is necessary to eliminate redundant
reporting requirements, standardize reporting across respondents,
and reduce costs associated with the data collection.
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 313(j) Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act as amended in 2006
This action is a revision with
program changes and adjustments to the CR Program and CR Program
EDRs. Through the reiterative process of working with the industry
prior to finalization of the EDR forms, the time to complete each
EDR was reduced to 10 hr. Total estimated changes are shown below:
Program changes: Additional 66 responses (9 vessel EDR
certifications, 57 data verifications), 2,633 fewer hours, $346,718
less in recordkeeping/reporting costs: Combined processor form
(does not in itself affect burden). Changes to EDRs result in
shorter response times and no need for additional accounting fees
for the verification of data. Auditing of all reports, rather than
a sample. Adjustments: Twenty-five fewer responses, 53 fewer hours,
$5,903 less in recordkeeping/reporting costs: Fewer responses
(other than verification of data) are due to re-estimation of
respondents. Certification response time is adjusted from one hour
to two, based on re-estimation.
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.