In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. Prior to
publication of the final rule, the agency must submit to OMB a
summary of all comments related to the information collection
contained in the proposed rule and the agency response. The agency
should clearly indicate any changes made to the information
collection as a result of these comments.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
11/30/2017
11/30/2017
11/30/2017
46
0
46
87
0
87
185,743
0
185,743
This action would require that vessel
operators with a Federal Fisheries Permit for a vessel using trawl
gear that harvests groundfish deducted from the Federal total
allowable catch in the Aleutian Islands sub-area set their vessel
monitoring system (VMS) to transmit the vessel location at least 10
times per hour. This requirement is recommended because of the
extent and complexity of the proposed trawl closure areas in the
Aleutian Islands reporting area. The proposed action would
establish Steller sea lion protection measures for the Atka
mackerel, Pacific cod, and pollock fisheries in the Aleutian
Islands sub-area that spatially, temporally, and globally disperse
fishing to mitigate potential competition for prey resources
between Steller sea lions and these fisheries. Spatial and temporal
fishery dispersion is accomplished through closure areas, harvest
limits, seasonal apportionment of harvest limits, limits on
participation in a fishery, and vessel monitoring system (VMS). The
VMS transmitter automatically determines the vessel's position
several times per hour using a Global Positioning System satellite.
A communications service provider receives the transmission and
relays it to NOAA Fisheries Office for Enforcement. The VMS unit is
passive and automatic, requiring no reporting effort of the vessel
operator. This action would add VMS requirements for vessels
operating in a Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)
regulatory area and using longline pot gear to fish IFQ sablefish
and IFQ halibut. A vessel’s VMS transmitter must be transmitting
when the vessel leaves port in the GOA IFQ sablefish longline pot
fishery. The vessel operator must receive a VMS confirmation number
before fishing for sablefish in the GOA IFQ regulatory areas with
longline pot gear.
US Code:
16
USC 773-773k Name of Law: Northern Pacific Halibut Act of
1982
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
VMS Operation (includes
installation, transmission, and maintenance) an increase of 20
respondents, 63 instead of 43 an increase of 37 responses, 83
instead of 46 an increase of 43 hours, 130 instead of 87. an
increase of capital costs, $18,533 instead of 0. an increase of
miscellaneous costs, $49,140 instead of $33,540 (would have been
correct previous cost). VMS Check-in report. an increase of 17
respondents and responses, 20 instead of 3 an increase of 3 hr
burden, 4 hr instead of 1 hr an increase of $123 personnel costs,
$148 instead of $25 an increase of $102 miscellaneous costs, $120
instead of $18 Program Adjustment: VMS Operation (includes
installation, transmission, and maintenance) Correction of per unit
transmission costs from $4,570 to $780.
$148
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Patsy Bearden 907
586-7008
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.