0512 extension 052314.ss rev2

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ALASKA PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES: SUBSISTENCE

OMB CONTROL NUMBER 0648-0512

This request is for an extension of an existing collection. In addition, OMB Control No. 0648-0460 will be combined into this collection because both information collections concern the halibut subsistence fisheries. The name of this combined collection will be changed from “Alaska Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Special Subsistence Permits and Harvest Logs” to “Alaska Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Subsistence”.

INTRODUCTION

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region (NMFS) manage fishing for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) through regulations established under authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act). The IPHC promulgates regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery under the Convention between the United States and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention), signed at Ottawa, Ontario, on March 2, 1953, as amended by a Protocol Amending the Convention (signed at Washington, D.C., on March 29, 1979). The Halibut Act also authorizes the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) to develop halibut fishery regulations, including limited access regulations, in its geographic area of concern that would apply to nationals or vessels of the United States.

The halibut subsistence program provides the opportunity to enhance accurate estimates of subsistence removals for stock assessment purposes. An important goal of the subsistence halibut program is to learn more about the fishery. Despite the lack of complete data, all subsistence harvests are estimated to account for less than one percent of total halibut removals.

Subsistence Halibut means halibut caught by a rural resident or a member of an Alaska Native tribe for direct personal or family consumption as food, sharing for personal or family consumption as food, or customary trade. Subsistence fishing and hunting in Alaska has historically been part of the customary and traditional practices of Alaska Natives and non-Natives, especially in rural areas with limited alternative food resources.

The objectives of the halibut subsistence program are to facilitate enforcement through compatible State of Alaska and Federal regulations; periodically review petitions for inclusion on the list of eligible communities; improve implementation of the program; and reflect local subsistence fishing practices.

A. JUSTIFICATION

This collection of information consists of applications for special permits (Community Harvest Permit, Ceremonial Permit, and Educational Permit), application for a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC), and harvest logs issued to participants in the halibut subsistence fishery. The permits are designed to work in conjunction with other halibut harvest assessment measures. Each of the instruments is designed to minimize the reporting burden on subsistence halibut fishermen while retrieving essential information. NMFS confirms the eligibility of registration applicants based on the information provided on an application. If eligible, the applicant receives the permit for which he/she applied.

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

The halibut subsistence program is intended to allow eligible persons to practice the long-term customary and traditional harvest of Pacific halibut for food in a non-commercial manner. NMFS designed the specialized permits as vessel-oriented permits which allow eligible persons to harvest subsistence halibut under reduced gear and harvest restrictions. In Alaska’s coastal areas, subsistence halibut fisheries are local, non-commercial, customary, and traditional food fisheries.

Persons eligible to subsistence halibut fish include:

♦ Members of Federally recognized Alaska Native Tribes with customary and traditional uses of halibut.

♦ Residents of rural communities with customary and traditional uses of halibut. A community in this Program is defined as a place that is recognized by the U.S. Census; thus, only municipalities and census-designated places are included.

♦ Rural Residents

● Individuals domiciled in remote homesteads outside the boundaries of eligible communities within the subsistence use areas of Alaska. Those individuals or families practice the same patterns of use as residents of nearby communities that have customary and traditional uses, and, therefore, are eligible to participate

● Individuals who reside within a designated ten statute mile band of land, adjacent to the waters of the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean, and other designated places.

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.

Subsistence fishing gear set or retrieved from a vessel while engaged in subsistence fishing for halibut must not have more than the allowable number of hooks per vessel, or per person registered and aboard the vessel, whichever is less, according to the regulatory area and permit type indicated in the following table:

Regulatory Area	Permit Type	Gear Restrictions
2C -- Except Sitka Sound, and Ketchikan and Juneau non-subsistence marine waters areas	SHARC	30 hooks per vessel
	Ceremonial Permit	30 hooks per vessel
	Educational Permit	30 hooks per vessel
	Community Harvest Permit	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
2C -- Sitka Sound	SHARC	September 1 through May 31: 30 hooks per vessel
		June 1 through August 31: 15 hooks per vessel; no power hauling
	Ceremonial Permit	September 1 through May 31: 30 hooks per vessel
		June 1 through August 31: fishing under Ceremonial Permit not allowed
	Educational Permit	30 hooks per vessel
	Community Harvest Permit	fishing under Community Harvest Permit not allowed
2C -- Ketchikan and Juneau non-subsistence marine waters areas	SHARC	general subsistence halibut fishing not allowed
	Ceremonial Permit	30 hooks per vessel
	Educational Permit	30 hooks per vessel
	Community Harvest Permit	fishing under Community Harvest Permit not allowed
3A--Except Chiniak Bay, and Anchorage-Matsu-Kenai and Valdez non-subsistence marine waters areas	SHARC	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
	Ceremonial Permit	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
	Educational Permit	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
	Community Harvest Permit	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel

3A--Chiniak Bay	SHARC	30 hooks per person onboard up to 60 hooks per vessel
	Ceremonial Permit	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
	Educational Permit	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
	Community Harvest Permit	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
3A--Anchorage-Matsu-Kenai and Valdez non-subsistence marine waters areas	SHARC	general subsistence halibut fishing not allowed
	Ceremonial Permit	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
	Educational Permit	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
	Community Harvest Permit	fishing under Community Harvest Permit not allowed
3B	SHARC	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
4A and 4B	SHARC	30 hooks per person onboard up to 90 hooks per vessel
4C, 4D, and 4E	SHARC	no hook limit

The retention of subsistence halibut is limited per person eligible to conduct subsistence fishing for halibut and onboard the vessel according to the following table:

Regulatory Area	Permit Type	Retention Limits
2C--Except Sitka Sound, and Ketchikan and Juneau non-subsistence marine waters areas	SHARC	20 halibut per day per vessel and in possession
	Ceremonial Permit	25 halibut per permit
	Educational Permit	25 halibut per permit
	Community Harvest Permit	no daily or possession limit

2C--Sitka Sound	SHARC	September 1 through May 31: 10 halibut per day per vessel and in possession
		June 1 through August 31: 5 halibut per day per vessel and in possession
	Ceremonial Permit	September 1 through May 31: 25 halibut per permit
		June 1 through August 31: fishing under Ceremonial Permit not allowed
	Educational Permit	25 halibut per permit
	Community Harvest Permit	fishing under Community Harvest Permit not allowed
2C--Ketchikan and Juneau non-subsistence marine waters areas	SHARC	general subsistence halibut fishing not allowed
	Ceremonial Permit	25 halibut per permit
	Educational Permit	25 halibut per permit
	Community Harvest Permit	fishing under Community Harvest Permit not allowed
3A--Including Chiniak Bay, but excluding Anchorage-Matsu-Kenai and Valdez non-subsistence marine waters areas	SHARC	20 halibut per person per day and in possession
	Ceremonial Permit	25 halibut per permit
	Educational Permit	25 halibut per permit
	Community Harvest Permit	no daily or possession limit
3A--Anchorage-Matsu-Kenai and Valdez non-subsistence marine waters areas	SHARC	general subsistence halibut fishing not allowed
	Ceremonial Permit	25 halibut per permit
	Educational Permit	25 halibut per permit
	Community Harvest Permit	fishing under Community Harvest Permit not allowed
3B	SHARC	20 halibut per person per day and in possession
4A and 4B	SHARC	20 halibut per person per day; no possession limit
4C, 4D, and 4E	SHARC	no daily or possession limit

a. Subsistence halibut registration certificate (SHARC) application

Before subsistence fishing for halibut, a participant must register for and must hold a valid Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC) issued by NMFS. To obtain a SHARC, eligible persons may apply by application to NMFS. A SHARC application is available in three different formats for use by an individual rural resident, by an individual Alaska tribal member, and by a tribe for multiple individual tribal members.

A member of an eligible Alaska Native tribe may apply on his or her own behalf or may have the tribe apply for him or her. If the tribe applies for the member, a SHARC will be sent directly to the tribe’s address indicated on the application. Similarly, if the member completes an individual application, the SHARC will be sent to the member’s address indicated on the application.

First time applicants must submit a paper application to the address listed below. Some renewal applications may be submitted online.

♦ Non-electronic submittal. The applicant must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete. The applicant must submit the paper application as indicated on the application.

♦ Electronic submittal. An individual can submit a SHARC renewal on-line using an application available at the Alaska Region website. By using the SHARC number and date of birth, and by submitting the application form, the applicant certifies that all information is true, correct, and complete

The SHARC application is available online at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/halibutsubsistence/Initial.

The SHARC application is available in pdf format at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/subsistence/spapp.pdf and may be completed on a computer, printed, and mailed or faxed to NMFS.

Paper applications may be submitted

By mail to: NMFS, Alaska Region

Restricted Access Management

P.O. Box 21668

Juneau, AK 99802-1668

By fax to: 907-586-7354

Each halibut SHARC will be valid only for the period of time specified on the certificate. A person eligible to harvest subsistence halibut may renew his or her SHARC that is expired or will expire within 3 months.

SHARC application for individual rural resident

Whether registration is new or a renewal

If a renewal, enter SHARC number

Block A - Alaska Rural Subsistence Registrant Information

Name (First, Middle, Last) and birth date (mm/dd/yyyy) of fisherman

Daytime telephone number

E-mail address

Mailing address (P.O. box number, street, city, state, and zip code)

Include street address even if you have a P.O. Box number.

If no street address, describe the physical location of your domicile, such as latitude and longitude, if known, or direction and distance from a landmark or from a milepost on a road.

Rural community or rural area of residence

Dates of residence (dates from and to) in this community or area (month, day, year)

Block B – Type of Subsistence Halibut Registration (select one)

Block C – Verifier Information

Name of adult verifier (first, middle, last)

Daytime telephone number

Mailing address (P.O. Box, Street, City, State, Zip code)

Block D – Certification Of Eligibility

Signature of rural applicant and date of signature

SHARC for individual Alaska native tribal member

Whether registration is new or a renewal

If a renewal, enter SHARC number

Block A - Alaska Tribal Member Information

Name (First, Middle, Last) and birth date (mm/dd/yyyy) of fisherman

Daytime telephone number, including area code

E-mail address

Mailing address (P.O. box number or number and street, city, state, and zip code)

Name of Alaska Native Tribe

Community or area of residence

Dates of residence in this community or area (month, day, year)

Block C – Certification Of Eligibility

Signature of tribal applicant and date of signature

SHARC for group Alaska Native Tribe

Block A - Alaska Native Tribe

Name of Alaska Native Tribe

Business mailing Address: (street, city, state, zip code)

Daytime Telephone Number

E-mail address

Block B - Tribal Member(s) Information

Name (first, middle, last) and date of birth of tribal member

Daytime telephone number

Community or area of residence

Permanent Mailing address (P.O. number or street, city, state, zip code)

Indicate whether applying for new SHARC or renewal

If renewal, enter SHARC number

Block C - Certification of Tribal Official

Printed name, signature, and title of tribal official

Date of signature

Upon registration approval, NMFS issues the registrant a SHARC. A SHARC expires in 2 years if a rural resident registration or in 4 years if an Alaska Native tribal registration. The difference in SHARC duration is based on the assumption that rural, non-Native residents change address more frequently than tribal members. Therefore, it is easier for NMFS to maintain current addresses of rural residents by requiring renewal at a two-year interval.

In 2013 NMFS issued 3,250 Rural SHARCs and 556 Tribal SHARCs. To date in 2014 NMFS issued 543 Rural and 91 Tribal. This analysis will use the 2013 numbers.

SHARC registration, Respondent

Total estimated number of respondents Total estimated responses 2 year, rural registrants 3250/2 yr = 1625 4 year, Native registrants 556/4 yr = 139 Total estimated burden hours Time per response = 10 minutes Total estimated personnel cost (294 x $37/hr) Total miscellaneous cost (2307.90) Online ($0.05 x 735 = 36.75) Fax ($6 x 294 = 1,764) Postage ($0.45 x 735 = 330.75 Photocopy (1764 x 2pp x 0.05 = 176.40)

3,806 1,764 294 hr $10,878 2,308

SHARC registration, Federal Government
Total estimated annual responses Total estimated burden hours Time per response = 5 minutes Total estimated personnel cost (147 x $37/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	1,764 147 hr $5,439 0

b. Subsistence Halibut Special Permits Application.

One application is used to apply for all three special permits: Subsistence Halibut Ceremonial, Educational, and Community Harvest Permits. Along with the special permits, NMFS sends the applicant a harvest log that needs to be maintained during the extent of the permit. Upon completion of subsistence harvest, the coordinator or instructor must return the complete harvest log to NMFS.

Except for enrolled students fishing under a valid Educational Permit, before fishing under the specialized permits, fishermen must obtain a SHARC (see above) which identifies those persons who are currently eligible for subsistence halibut fishing.

Community Harvest Permit (CHP)

An Area 2C or Area 3A community or Alaska Native tribe may apply for a CHP. A CHP consists of a harvest log and up to five laminated permit cards.

NMFS will issue a CHP to an eligible Area 2C or 3A community that is listed at

50 CFR 300.65(g)(1) and if no Alaska Native tribe exists in that community.

NMFS will issue a CHP, ceremonial permit, or education permit to an eligible Area 2C or 3A

Alaska Native Tribe that is listed at 50 CFR 300.65(g)(2).

The Alaska Native tribe or community must designate a CHP coordinator as part of the registration process. The CHP coordinator is responsible to issue the laminated CHP permit cards to eligible fishermen. The CHP allows a community or tribe to appoint one or more individuals from its respective community or tribe to harvest subsistence halibut from a single vessel under reduced gear and harvest restrictions. Each fisherman must have a CHP card as well as his/her SHARC on his/her person when fishing under the CHP. The CHP must remain in the possession of the CHP Coordinator or other tribal authority when not in use.

Ceremonial or Educational Permit

Educational Permits are available exclusively to eligible Alaska Native tribes.

Eligible tribes may request and possess multiple Ceremonial Permits at any given time.

The tribe must designate a Ceremonial Coordinator or an Authorized Instructor for Educational Permits. Eligible communities must designate a Ceremonial Coordinator for Ceremonial Permits. The Ceremonial Permit must remain in the possession of the Ceremonial Permit Coordinator or other tribal authority when not in use.

Ceremonial and Educational Permits consist of a single laminated permit card and one harvest log for each type issued by NMFS. Each permit expires 30 days from its date of issuance.

The permit and harvest log of each type must be returned within 15 days following the permit’s expiration date regardless of whether halibut were harvested using the permit.

When an Alaska Native tribe submits an application for permits for more than one individual, the permit applications may be submitted with a list of individuals or applicants instead of completing an application for each person.

All previously issued harvest logs must be returned prior to receiving additional permits.

A community or tribe that fails to return previously issued harvest logs will not receive any additional permit until all previously issued harvest logs are returned to NMFS.

Community and Ceremonial Permit Applications are available online at the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/halibutsubsistence/PermitInitial

Educational, Community, and Ceremonial permit applications and Logs are available in pdf format at: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/subsistence/spapp.pdf and may be completed on a computer, printed, and mailed or faxed to NMFS.

Paper applications may be submitted

By mail to: NMFS, Alaska Region

Restricted Access Management

P.O. Box 21668

Juneau, AK 99802-1668

Or, by fax to: 907-586-7354

Subsistence Halibut Special Permits Application

Block A. Type of subsistence halibut special permit requested

Indicate whether applying for a community harvest permit, ceremonial permit, or educational permit

Indicate whether applying for a new permit or a renewal. If a renewal, enter permit number

Block B. Subsistence Halibut Community Harvest Permit

Name of Alaska Native tribe or community

CHP Coordinator

Name and daytime telephone number

Mailing address: Number, Street, City, State, and Zip Code

Attachment: any previous CHP harvest logs

Block C. Subsistence Halibut Ceremonial Permit

Name of Alaska Native tribe or community

Ceremonial Halibut Permit Coordinator

Name and daytime telephone number

Mailing address: Number, Street, City, State, and Zip Code

Describe occasion of cultural or ceremonial significance

Attachment: any previous ceremonial permit harvest logs

Block D. Subsistence Halibut Education Permit

Name of Alaska Native tribe or community

Education Permit Instructor

Name and daytime telephone number

Mailing address: Number, Street, City, State, and Zip Code

Educational Institution or Organization

Name and daytime telephone number

Mailing address: Number, Street, City, State, and Zip Code

Course description

Demonstrate enrollment of qualified students

Describe minimum attendance requirements

Describe standards for the successful completion of the educational program

Describe standards for successful completion of the course.

Attachment: any previous educational permit harvest logs.

Although the potential participation is 38 tribes, each of which could apply for each of the special permits, the actual number of applications issued is much less. One respondent will be used in this analysis

Three Community Harvest permits issued. One in 2012; one in 2013; two in 2014

One ceremonial permit issued. One in 2012; none in 2013; none in 2014

One education permit issued. One in 2012; none in 2013; none in 2014

Subsistence special permit application, Respondent
Total respondents Total annual responses Frequency of response = 1 Total annual time burden hours (10 min) Time per response (10 min x 1) Total personnel cost (1 x $37/hr) Total miscellaneous costs (0.15) E-mail attachment (1 x $0.05 = 0.05) Photocopy (1 x 2pp x 0.05 = 0.10)	1 1 1 hr $37 $1

Subsistence special permit application, Federal government
Total annual responses Total annual time burden hours (10 min) Time per response (10 min x 1) Total personnel cost (1 x $37) Total miscellaneous costs	1 1 hr $37 0

c. Community Harvest Permit (CHP) Harvest Log.

The CHP Coordinator must maintain possession of the CHP log at all times. The CHP Coordinator issues a CHP permit card to an eligible subsistence fisherman. The eligible subsistence fisherman returns the CHP permit card and reports his or her catch to the CHP Coordinator upon completion of subsistence fishing under the permit. The CHP Coordinator records this harvest information in a CHP harvest log. The CHP Coordinator must return the CHP permit card and CHP harvest log together upon expiration to NMFS.

Community Harvest Permit Harvest Log

Name of Community Harvest Permit Coordinator

Subsistence Fisher Identification

Name of fisher

Community of residence

Date of birth

Tribal affiliation

SHARC number

Indicate whether fisher did subsistence halibut fishing during the period on permit

If YES, complete the following harvest information

Date of harvest

Local water body, bay or sound

IPHC Regulatory Area

Number and Pounds of Halibut

Type of gear used

Number of hooks set

Number of incidental lingcod caught

Number of incidental rockfish caught.

When maintaining a CHP harvest log, the coordinator would take an estimated 30 minutes to instruct each fisherman on responsibilities prior to fishing and to record the fisherman’s catch information when returning. The 30 minutes is per fisherman. It is estimated that up to three fishermen would fish against a license.

Subsistence halibut CHP harvest log, Respondent
Total respondents 1 CHP coordinator x 3 fishermen Total annual responses Frequency of response = 1 Total annual time burden hours (1.5) Time per response = 30 min x 3 Total personnel cost (2 x $37/hr) Total miscellaneous cost (0.5) Postage to mail log (1 x 0.45= 0.45) Photocopy (1 x 0.05 = 0.05)	3 3 2 hr $74 $1

Subsistence halibut CHP harvest log, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total annual time burden hours (45 min) Time per response = 3 x 15 min Total personnel cost (3 x $37/hr) Total miscellaneous costs	3 1 hr $111 0

d. Subsistence Halibut Ceremonial or Educational Permit Harvest Log

The Ceremonial Permit Coordinator maintains possession of the Ceremonial log at all times and issues the Ceremonial permit card to an eligible subsistence fisherman. Upon completion of subsistence fishing, the subsistence fisherman returns the Ceremonial permit card and reports his or her catch to the Coordinator. The Coordinator records this harvest information in a Ceremonial harvest log and returns to NMFS the Ceremonial permit card and Ceremonial log.

The Educational Permit Instructor maintains possession of the Educational log at all times and issues the Educational permit card to eligible students. The eligible student returns the Educational permit card and reports his or her catch to the Educational Permit Instructor upon completion of subsistence fishing. The Educational Permit Instructor records this harvest information in the log and returns to NMFS the Educational permit card and Educational log.

Subsistence Ceremonial or Educational Permit Harvest Log

Name of Ceremonial Permit Coordinator or Educational Permit Instructor

Subsistence Fisher Identification

Name of fisher or student

Daytime telephone number

Mailing address (number and street, city and state, zip code)

Community of residence

Date of birth

Tribal affiliation

SHARC number (students do not need a SHARC)

Indicate whether fisher did subsistence halibut fishing during the period on permit

If YES, complete the following harvest information

Date of harvest

Local water body, bay or sound

IPHC Regulatory Area

Number and weight (in pounds) of halibut

Type of gear used

Number of hooks set

Number of incidental lingcod caught

Number of incidental rockfish caught

When maintaining a ceremonial or educational permit harvest log, the coordinator or instructor would take an estimated 30 minutes to instruct each fisherman on responsibilities prior to fishing and to record the fisherman’s catch information when returning. It is estimated that up to three fishermen would fish against the license.

Subsistence halibut ceremonial or educational harvest log, Respondent
Total respondents 1 Ceremonial coordinator x 3 fishermen 1 Educational instructor x 3 fishermen Total annual responses Frequency of response = 1 Total annual time burden hours Time per response = 30 min x 6 Total personnel costs (3 x $37/hr) Total miscellaneous costs (1.10) Postage (1 ceremonial log x 0.45 = 0.45) Postage (1 educational log x 0.45 = 0.45) Photocopy (2 logs x 2pp x .05 = 0.2)	6 6 3 hr $111 $1

Subsistence halibut ceremonial or educational harvest log, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total annual time burden hours (1.5 ) Time per response = 15 min x 6 Total personnel costs (3 x $37) Total miscellaneous costs	6 2 hr $111 0

e. Subsistence Appeals.

NMFS provides an appeals process to provide administrative due process to those whose applications for a Community Harvest Permit, Ceremonial Permit, or Educational Permit are denied and to those whose permit is subject to revocation.

In every instance in which an administrative determination is made to deny an application or to revoke a permit, NMFS issues a formal Initial Administrative Decision (IAD) to the affected applicant or permit holder). If dissatisfied with the determination, the applicant may appeal to the NMFS Alaska Region Office of Administrative Appeals (OAA) under 50 CFR part 679.43. For permit appeals, the participant must provide a written statement in support of the appeal and must show why the initial determination should be reversed. If the participant does not appeal within 60 days following the issuance of the IAD, the IAD becomes a Final Agency Determination. No permit has been denied up to this point. For purposes of this analysis, 1 response will be used.

Subsistence appeals, Respondent
Total respondents Total annual responses Frequency of response = 1 Total annual time burden hours Time per response = 4 hr Total personnel costs (4 x $37) Total miscellaneous costs (0.90) Postage (1 x $0.90)	1 1 4 hr $148 $1

Subsistence appeals, Federal government
Total annual responses Total annual time burden hours Time per response = 25 hr Total personnel costs (25 x $37) Total miscellaneous costs	1 25 hr $925 0

f. Subsistence gear marking

Gear types authorized for use in the subsistence halibut fishery are setline, handline, rod-and-reel, spear, jig, and hand-troll gear. Setline gear means one or more stationary, buoyed, or anchored lines with hooks attached. Only setline gear must be marked with identification information as follows: first initial and last name followed by an “S” (to indicate halibut subsistence), and address (street, city, and state). Markings must be in characters at least

4 inches (10.16 cm) in height and 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) in width in a contrasting color visible above the water line and must be maintained so the markings are clearly visible (see 50 CFR 300.65(h).

Materials needed to mark the buoys consist of paint and paintbrush, permanent ink applicator, or tape, costing at most $5. Labor costs to mark the buoys are estimated at $12.50 per hour, based on a range between $10 and $15 per hour.

NMFS estimates it takes approximately 15 minutes to paint each buoy. An estimated 50 percent or 4,299 individual buoys would need marking, because the markings from the previous year are still legible, and the information is still correct.

Subsistence halibut gear marking, Respondent
Total estimated respondents Total estimated annual responses (50% of 3806 = 1,903, associated buoys = 4,299) Total estimated burden hours (1075) Estimated time to paint each buoy = 15 minutes Total estimated personnel cost Cost per hour, in dollars = 12.50 Total miscellaneous cost Marking materials ($5 materials x 4,299)	3,806 4,299 1,075 hr $13,437 $21,495

Subsistence halibut gear marking, Federal Government
Total estimated annual responses Total estimated burden hours Total estimated personnel cost Total miscellaneous cost	0 0 0 0

It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support publicly disseminated information. 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.

The Application for a SHARC, Application for Ceremonial Permit, and Application for Community Harvest Permit are available online and may be submitted online, through the Internet at www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Educational Permit applications are “fillable” on the computer screen by participants at the NMFS Alaska Region Home Page at www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, then may be downloaded, printed, and mailed or faxed to NMFS.

In addition, Harvest Logs are “fillable” on the computer screen by participants at the NMFS Alaska Region Home Page at www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, then may be downloaded, printed, and mailed or faxed to NMFS.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other collections. 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.

A person must be a resident of a rural place listed in the table at 50 CFR 300.65(f)(1) or an identified member of a federally recognized Alaska Native tribe in the table at 50 CFR 300.65(f)(2) to be eligible to harvest subsistence halibut. These eligible persons are small entities; either individuals, households, or Tribal Governments. There are a possible 38 tribes eligible for these permits. The collection of information does not impose a significant impact on small entities, as it is the minimum required.

6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.

Without the specified permitting and reporting scheme described in this Supporting Statement, the halibut subsistence program would be unable to proceed. In addition, much needed information on the halibut subsistence fishery would be lost.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

Not applicable.

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 January 24, 2014 (79 FR 4150) solicited public comment. There were no comments received.

On April 18, 2014, NMFS created a survey (uploaded as a supplementary document) to collect information from respondents to this collection of information. The survey was sent to selected respondents and solicited opinions on the forms and date collected in this collection. Each company was contacted by e-mail.

ALASKA PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES: SUBSISTENCE

COMMENT SUMMARY

OMB 0648-0512

Two Responses received out of 13 sent. Two returned addresses. Sent 5/15/2014

SUBSISTENCE HALIBUT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE (SHARC) APPLICATION – RURAL

[2 ] Applicable [ ] Not applicable

1. Do you have the information needed to complete the SHARC permit application easily available?

(1) Yes

(2) Yes

2. Do you prefer to file this application online?

(1) Yes

(2) No

3. Is our estimate of 10 minutes long enough for you to collect and record the information?

(1) Yes

(2) Yes

4. Are the instructions for the application clear and understandable?

(1) Yes

(2) Yes

5. Do you think that renewing the SHARC each year is necessary?

(1) No

(2) No comment

6. Provide any additional comments on any aspect of the SHARC permit application

(1) No comment

(2) No comment

SUBSISTENCE HALIBUT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE (SHARC) APPLICATION –TRIBAL

[ ] Applicable [ 2 ] Not applicable

1. Do you have the information needed to complete the SHARC permit application easily available?

2. Do you prefer to file this application online?

3. Is our estimate of 10 minutes long enough for you to collect and record the information?

4. Are the instructions for the application clear and understandable?

5. Do you think that renewing the SHARC each year is necessary?

6. Provide any additional comments on any aspect of the SHARC permit application

SUBSISTENCE HALIBUT SPECIAL PERMITS APPLICATION --

COMMUNITY HARVEST PERMIT, CEREMONIAL HARVEST PERMIT, EDUCATIONAL HARVEST PERMIT [ ] Applicable [ 2 ] Not applicable

1. Do you have the information needed to complete the SHARC permit application easily available?

2. Do you prefer to file this application online?

3. Is our estimate of 10 minutes long enough for you to collect and record the information?

4. Are the instructions for the application clear and understandable?

5. Do you think that renewing the SPECIAL PERMIT each year is necessary?

6. Provide any additional comments on any aspect of the SPECIAL PERMIT application

COMMUNITY HARVEST PERMIT HARVEST (CHP) LOG

[ ] Applicable [ 2 ] Not applicable

1. Do you have the information needed to complete the CHP LOG easily available?

If NO, tell us what you need to do to complete this log.

2. Would you prefer to file this harvest log online?

If NO, tell us your preferred method – U.S. mail, fax, courier, e-mail attachment, other method?

3. Is our estimate of 10 minutes long enough for you to collect and record the information?

IF NO, how long does it take? Why does it take this much time?

4. Are the instructions for the CHP log clear and understandable?

If NO, which question(s) is not clear? and why?

5. Provide any additional comments on any aspect of the CHP harvest log

COMMENTS:

CEREMONIAL HARVEST PERMIT HARVEST LOG

[ ] Applicable [ 2 ] Not applicable

1. Do you have the information needed to complete the harvest log easily available?

If NO, tell us what you need to do to complete this log.

2. Would you prefer to file this harvest log online?

If NO, tell us your preferred method – U.S. mail, fax, courier, e-mail attachment, other method?

3. Is our estimate of 30 minutes long enough for you to collect and record the information?

IF NO, how long does it take? Why does it take this much time?

4. Are the instructions for the harvest log clear and understandable?

If NO, which question(s) is not clear? and why?

5. Provide any additional comments on any aspect of the harvest log

COMMENTS:

EDUCATIONAL HARVEST PERMIT HARVEST LOG

[ ] Applicable [ 2 ] Not applicable

1. Do you have the information needed to complete the harvest log easily available?

If NO, tell us what you need to do to complete this log.

2. Would you prefer to file this harvest log online?

If NO, tell us your preferred method – U.S. mail, fax, courier, e-mail attachment, other method?

3. Is our estimate of 30 minutes long enough for you to collect and record the information?

IF NO, how long does it take? Why does it take this much time?

4. Are the instructions for the harvest log clear and understandable?

If NO, which question(s) is not clear? and why?

5. Provide any additional comments on any aspect of the harvest log

COMMENTS:

NMFS continues to work with IPHC and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to improve data collection and monitoring of the entire Pacific halibut resource in the waters off Alaska.

9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

No payment or gift is provided under this program.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

This information is used to monitor the subsistence halibut program under the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982. Responses to this information collection request are not confidential.

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.

No issues of a sensitive nature exist under this program.

12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.

Estimated total respondents: 3,806, increased from 8. Estimated total responses: 6,074, increased from 33. Estimated total burden: 1,379 hr, increased from 19 hr. Estimated total personnel costs: $24,685, increased from $425. The personnel cost of $37 per hour is based on the average wage equivalent to a GS-7 employee in Alaska, including COLA, except for the estimated $12.50 labor cost for gear marking.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or record-keepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in Question 12 above).

Estimated total annual miscellaneous costs: $23,807, increased from $21.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.

Estimated total responses: 1,776, increased from 33. Estimated total burden: 201 hr, increased from 33 hr. Estimated total personnel costs: $7,548, increased from $825. The personnel cost $37 per hour is based on the average wage equivalent to a GS-7 employee in Alaska, including COLA, except for the Appeals Office which is estimated to be $75 per hour.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.

Adjustments were made due to increased postage (from 0.44 to 0.45), increased personnel costs ($37/hr instead of $25/hr), and to increased number of respondents. In addition, OMB Control No. 0648-0460 is combined with this collection because both collections describe items in the halibut subsistence fishery.

Program Changes

SHARC Registration (added from OMB Control No. 0648-0460)

an increase of 3,806 in respondents, 3,806 instead of 0

an increase of 1,764 in responses, 1,764 instead of 0

an increase of 294 hr in burden, 294 hr instead of 0 hr

an increase of $10,878 in personnel costs, $10,878 instead of $0

an increase of $2308 in miscellaneous costs, $2,2308 instead of $0

Gear Marking (added from OMB Control No. 0648-0460)

an increase of 3,806 in respondents, 3,806 instead of 0

an increase of 4,299 in responses, 4,299 instead of 0

an increase of 1,075 hr in burden, 1,075 hr instead of 0 hr

an increase of $13,437 in personnel costs, $13,437 instead of $0

an increase of $21,495 in miscellaneous costs, $21,495 instead of $0.

Adjustments

Special Permits Application

a decrease of 7 in respondents and responses, 1 instead of 8

a decrease of 1 hr in burden, 1 hr instead of 2 hr

an increase of $12 in personnel costs, $37 instead of $25

a decrease of $7 in miscellaneous costs, $1 instead of $8

Community Harvest Log

a decrease of 15 in respondents and responses, 3 instead of 18

a decrease of 8 hr in burden, 2 hr instead of 10 hr

a decrease of $151 in personnel costs, $74 instead of $225

a decrease of $8 in miscellaneous costs, $1 instead of $9

Ceremonial or Educational Harvest Log

an increase of $36 in personnel costs, $111 instead of $75

a decrease of $2 in miscellaneous costs, $1 instead of $3

Appeals

an increase of $48 in personnel costs, $148 instead of $100

16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and publication.

Information obtained through registration to issue Community Harvest Permits, Ceremonial Permits, and Educational Permits is posted on the NMFS Alaska Region at

http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/daily/subsist_other_than_sharc.pdf. The information is posted in lists sorted by holder, by eligible tribe, and by eligible community. In addition, a summary by date of the SHARC registrations issued to rural and tribal applicants is posted at

http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/daily/sharc_summary.pdf.

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.

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