This survey seeks to collect data on
vessel's fixed cost information. The Northeast Fisheries Science
Center's (NEFSC) Social Sciences Branch (SSB) collected annual cost
information from commercial fishing vessel owners in 2007, 2008 and
2009. Data was collected via a voluntary mail survey associated
with the federal fishing permit renewal application. However,
because of the continuing decreasing response rates, the NEFSC
discontinued the surveys after year 2009. The proposed data
collection approach will be more scientific and rigorous. Proper
steps will also be taken to increase response rates as well as to
validate the collected data. These cost data will enable SSB to
conduct more comprehensive research and analysis about the economic
and social impacts of proposed and final fishery management
actions, consistent with applicable laws such as the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
US Code:
16 USC 1881 et seq. Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
US Code:
42 USC 4321 et seq. Name of Law: National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969
The SSB has decided to reduce
the frequency of data collection as it move forwards with its cost
program. The decision was made to reduce respondent fatigue and
burden, and to allow SSB adequate time to incorporate the collected
data into NMFS data streams, to rigorously analyze the data and
produce peer-reviews documents, to widely disseminate results to
stakeholders and the general public, and to solicit feedback from
stakeholders on the data collection effort, including the survey
instrument and products that stem from the collected data. The cost
data collection for which SSB is seeking renewal will occur on a
four year cycle as follows: Year 1 (scheduled early 2016): 50% of
commercial fishing vessels sampled, Year 2 (scheduled early 2017):
remaining 50% of commercial fishing vessels sampled, Year 3 (2018):
no cost data collected and Year 4 (2019): no cost data
collected.
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.