Vessels fishing for Atlantic tuna and
swordfish that use pelagic longline gear and vessels fishing for
sharks with bottom longline or gillnet gear are required to have a
qualified marine electrician install an Enhanced Mobile
Transmitting Unit Vessel Monitoring System unit (E-MTU VMS).
Automatic position reports are submitted on an hourly basis for the
duration of the required fishing year or season unless the vessel
operator has a documented power down exemption. Vessel operators
must declare target species and fishing gear onboard prior to
leaving port and report to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement at least
three hours, but no more than twelve, in advance of their returning
to port. A qualified marine electrician must install and then
submit an installation checklist to NMFS, which provides
information on the hardware and communications service selected by
each vessel when the VMS unit is initially installed. NMFS will use
the returned checklists to ensure that position reports are
received and to aid NMFS in troubleshooting problems.
US Code:
16
USC 971 Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975
Adjustment(s): The number of
affected vessels has changed from 329 to 308. The capital costs for
the original 329 are cleared. The estimated time to issue a
declaration was changed from 5 minutes/declaration to 2
minutes/declaration to more accurately reflect the associated
burden. Program changes (no change to burden or cost at this
time): 1. Establishment of a declaration out of the fishery option
that could substantially reduce vessel reporting burden (reduction
not counted at this time). 2. Changing a requirement to hail-out at
least two hours before leaving port (can now be immediately before
leaving port). 3. Changing hail-in requirement to no more than 12
hours before returning to port.
$0
No
No
No
No
No
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.