Justification for Change

JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE

ALASKA PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES: SPECIAL SUBSISTENCE PERMITS AND HARVEST LOGS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0512

JUSTIFICATION: Add e-mail address to applications for special subsistence permits.

The United States (U.S.) and Canada participate in the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and promulgate regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery under the authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act).In October 2000, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) established the Alaska Subsistence Halibut Program. The regulations that govern the subsistence halibut fishery can be found at 50 CFR Part 300.

An eligible community or Alaska Native tribe may apply for a special subsistence permit by submitting an application to the Alaska Region, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The same application form may be used to apply for each of these permits.

There are three subsistence halibut special permits, which can be applied for on paper or online on one form:

♦ Subsistence Halibut Community Harvest Permit (CHP) -- Permits an eligible community or Alaska Native tribe to harvest halibut from a single vessel under reduced gear and harvest restrictions.

♦ Subsistence Halibut Ceremonial Permit – Allows an Alaska Native tribe to harvest up to 25 halibut per permit issued.

♦ Subsistence Educational Permit -- Allows an Alaska Native tribe to harvest up to 25 halibut per permit issued.

This change would add a space for the e-mail address of the Alaska Native Tribe applying for each of the permits. The change is necessary because if the respondent wants to renew a permit with NMFS on-line (not required, of course) they must provide a valid e-mail address for the database.

It is not expected that this change will add to the cost or burden of the respondents.

1