0648-0551 Supporting Statement A

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Southeast Region IFQ Programs

OMB Control No. 0648-0551

Abstract

This request is for revision and extension of an approved information collection. The purpose of these information collections is to administer the red snapper, and groupers and tilefishes individual fishing quota (IFQ) programs in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), and the wreckfish individual transferable quota (ITQ) program in the South Atlantic. The purpose of these programs is to address overcapitalization, prevent derby fishery conditions, and prevent overfishing of these fisheries resources.

NMFS proposes revisions to the approved IFQ Online Account Application to collect additional business and demographic information, as well as to the approved Dealer Landing Transaction Report to add a requirement to input the vessel signature personal identification number (PIN) a second time if a specific criterion is met.

The purpose of revising the IFQ Online Account Application is to better comply with National Standard 4 (NS4) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), and the Small Business Administration’s regulations implementing the RFA, Executive Order (E.O.) 12898, and the “fairness and equitable distribution” provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, including NS4 and section 303(b)(6). The purpose of revising the Dealer Landing Transaction Report is to better inform participants in the Gulf IFQ programs and require an additional verification from them when the existing flexibility measure of a 10 percent overage of their allocation would occur.

If implemented by NMFS, these administrative revisions would slightly increase the estimated time per response to complete the IFQ Online Account Application. However, the estimated time per response for the Dealer Landing Transaction Report is not expected to change. The estimated cost burden of both the IFQ Online Account Application and the Dealer Landing Transaction Report would remain the same.

Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes each of the regional fishery management councils to prepare and amend fishery management plans (FMPs) for any fishery in federal waters under its jurisdiction. In the U.S. southeast region, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages three catch share programs for commercial fisheries. The IFQ programs for red snapper, and groupers and tilefishes are managed under the FMP for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf (Gulf Reef Fish FMP), which was developed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. NMFS implemented the Gulf IFQ programs via regulations in 2006 and 2009, respectively. The wreckfish ITQ program is managed under the FMP for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which was developed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. NMFS implemented the South Atlantic wreckfish ITQ program via regulations in 1992.

At the start of each IFQ and ITQ program, NMFS allocated shares (percentages) of the quota to commercial fishermen. Each year shares result in annual allocation (pounds of fish) that limits how many pounds of fish that fishermen can harvest annually. Fishermen can transfer shares or allocation to other IFQ and ITQ program participants to increase or decrease the amount they can harvest. Share and allocation transfers, as well as landing transactions and landing notifications are completed electronically through an online web-based accounting system for Gulf red snapper and Gulf groupers and tilefishes, and through the NMFS Sustainable Fisheries Division, Limited-Access Privilege Programs (LAPPs) and Data Management Branch for paper-based South Atlantic wreckfish share transfer transactions.

Since the IFQ and ITQ programs began, NMFS has been collecting this information to administer and operate the programs that are intended to address overcapitalization, prevent derby fishery conditions, and prevent overfishing of these fishery resources.

The information collection under OMB Control No. 0648-0551 addresses IFQ shares, ITQ share certificates (for wreckfish ITQ), and allocation debits and transfers, as well as collection of landings information necessary to operate, administer, and review management of commercial red snapper, and groupers and tilefishes in the Gulf, and wreckfish in the South Atlantic.

The purpose of revising and expanding the IFQ Online Account Application is to better comply with NS4 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. NS4 states, in part: “If it becomes necessary to allocate or assign fishing privileges among various United States fishermen, such allocation shall be (A) fair and equitable to all such fishermen; (B) reasonably calculated to promote conservation; and (C) carried out in such manner that no particular individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of such privileges.”

In addition, the RFA and the Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations implementing the RFA require federal agencies, including NMFS, to determine whether their rulemakings have a significant, adverse economic effect on “small” entities (e.g., businesses) directly regulated by those rulemakings. Agencies must also determine whether their rulemakings have any disproportionate economic effects on small entities relative to large entities. The determination of an entity’s size must account for affiliation between entities (i.e., when one business partly or wholly owns another business).

It is not possible to determine accurately whether businesses are affiliated, without ownership percentage data for all businesses that participate in the IFQ Program. Ownership percentage data is not currently collected for dealers, but there is anecdotal evidence that some dealers have ownership interests in commercial harvesting permits and vessels. SERO thinks it is prudent to request that the IFQ Online Account Application confirm whether they are small or large entities as per SBA standards.

Based on the above, it has been determined that the proposed revisions to the IFQ Online Account Application with respect to ownership data, form or type of business, and confirmation of whether entities are small or large are needed to better comply with NS4 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the RFA.

NMFS also proposes to add socioeconomic and demographic data collections to the IFQ Online Account Application. E.O. 12898 requires federal agencies to analyze the environmental effects, including human health, economic and social effects, of federal regulatory actions whenever an analysis is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). E.O. 12898 also requires the agency to mitigate any significant and adverse effects of its regulations, provide for effective minority participation in the NEPA process, and to collect, maintain and analyze data on minority populations. Finally, information on minorities is also needed to comply with the “fairness and equitable distribution” provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, including NS4 and section 303(b)(6).

NMFS also proposes to add a requirement to input the vessel signature PIN a second time if the landing transaction would result in a 10% overage. The Gulf Red Snapper and Groupers and Tilefishes IFQ programs both provide a flexibility measure that allows shareholders who hold IFQ shares to land 10% over their remaining allocation on the last fishing trip of the year as long as the amount does not exceed the amount of shares held in the account. Any overage will be subtracted from the shareholder's allocation at the start of the next fishing year. However, currently, there is no warning of when a 10% overage will occur. NMFS proposes to add a feature to the online system that will notify the shareholder that a 10% overage will occur (and in which categories) and require the vessel signature PIN to accept the overage. Although the 10% overage is utilized infrequently, this will provide the shareholder the opportunity to transfer allocation and avoid using the 10% overage.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

Gulf Red Snapper and Groupers and Tilefishes IFQ Programs

IFQ share and allocation debits and transfers are tracked using an electronic accounting and reconciliation process developed by NMFS, in which IFQ shareholders or allocation holders, dealers, NMFS personnel, IFQ vessel account holders, and 24-hour customer service personnel participate. The IFQ share or allocation holder and dealer records the share, allocation, and landing transactions, as well as landing notifications using the online web-based system (https://secatchshares.fisheries.noaa.gov/). Transactions are completed and tracked in real-time to ensure proper accounting of share and allocation transfers, landing notifications, and landing transactions. Each participant of the IFQ online system is assigned a User ID and password for logging in.

Frequency of use of the online system varies greatly among participants, depending on total shareholdings and numbers of fishing trips and landing transactions completed. Question 12 provides a summary of the number of annual responses NMFS expects to receive for online activities. NMFS and a 24-hour customer call service use the online system daily.

NMFS monitors and audits IFQ transactions to ensure that share caps are not exceeded, landing notifications are made, and landing transactions are completed in a timely fashion. NMFS also monitors quota shares suspended prior to issuance and other legal actions taken against IFQ shareholders in which IFQ is garnished. For enforcement purposes, IFQ landings must occur at pre-approved landing locations, fish must be sold to IFQ permitted dealers, and fish can only be offloaded between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Persons landing IFQ species are required to notify NMFS at least 3 hours, but no more than 24 hours, in advance of the time of landing and of the dealer location information where landing will occur.

During catastrophic conditions only, the IFQ program provides for use of paper-based components for basic required functions as a backup. NMFS determines when catastrophic conditions exist, the duration of the catastrophic conditions, and which participants or geographic areas are deemed affected by the catastrophic conditions. NMFS will provide timely notice to affected participants via publication of notification in the Federal Register, and other appropriate means, such as fishery bulletins, and will authorize the affected participants’ use of paper-based components for the duration of the catastrophic conditions. NMFS will provide each IFQ dealer the necessary paper forms and instructions for submission of the forms to NMFS. The program functions available to participants or geographic areas deemed affected by catastrophic conditions will be limited under the paper-based system. Assistance in complying with the requirements of the paper-based system will be available via IFQ Customer Service 1-866-425-7627, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern time.

The proposed revisions to the IFQ Online Account Application with respect to ownership data, form or type of business, and confirmation of whether entities are small or large are needed for NMFS to better comply with NS4 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the RFA. The addition of socioeconomic and demographic data collections is to comply with E.O. 12898.

The requirement to input the vessel signature PIN a second time if the landing transaction would result in a 10% overage would benefit the IFQ shareholders. Currently, if a landing transaction resulted in a 10% overage, the shareholder would not know until the landing transaction was complete and too late to avoid the 10% overage. When a 10% overage occurs, the shareholder must pay back the overage, reducing their allocation the following year. If a shareholder is aware of the 10% overage before the landing transaction is complete, they can transfer allocation into their vessel account before completing the landing transaction, thus avoiding the 10% overage.

South Atlantic Wreckfish ITQ Program

Wreckfish ITQ shares transfers are paper-based and are completed through the NMFS’ Sustainable Fisheries Division, Limited Access Privilege Programs (LAPPs) and Data Management Branch. The transfer form is printed on the back of the percentage shares certificate. With each transfer of ownership, the certificate will be reissued. The certificate identifies the seller, but the buyer must provide their name, address, corporate (employer’s) federal tax identification number, and telephone number. The sale price is necessary for economic analysis. The signatures of buyer, seller, and witness will secure the transaction. If the party purchasing shares is a shareholder, the share certificate must be surrendered so that it can be reissued.

It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support publicly disseminated information. NMFS 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 collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also, describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

Gulf Red Snapper and Groupers and Tilefishes IFQ Programs

Information is collected via a Web-based system, through satellite-linked vessel monitoring system (VMS) units attached to vessels, and through a 24-hour call hotline, with paper submission as an option only in NMFS-declared catastrophic circumstances, such as after a hurricane.

IFQ share certificate, and allocation debits and transfers are tracked using an electronic accounting and reconciliation process developed by NMFS, in which the IFQ share certificate holder or allocation holder, dealer, NMFS, and a 24-hour call service participates. The following information is currently collected and monitored through the electronic accounting and reconciliation process:

• Sale of IFQ managed species to an IFQ dealer by an IFQ vessel account holder.

• Sale price of IFQ species, IFQ shares, and IFQ allocation.

• The weight of the landed catch and the state-specific trip ticket number for the transaction.

• Cost recovery fees collected by the dealer from the fisherman at the time of the landing transaction (our site links to the page the participants complete in order to submit their cost recovery fee payments to the IFQ system, a site maintained by pay.gov)

• To whom the catch was sold and their dealer or permit number.

• To whom shares or allocation were sold and their shareholder or vessel account User ID.

• Whether initial recipients hold enough IFQ allocation.

• IFQ shareholdings, to ensure no one entity holds an excessive amount of shares.

• IFQ landing notifications, including vessel involved in landing, landing location, dealer to whom fish will be sold, time and date of landing, and estimated pounds to be landed.

• Reconciliations of IFQ share certificate or allocation holders, and dealer transactions, which would be confirmed and authorized using NMFS approval codes.

• Adding an IFQ landings location.

• Landing approvals.

• Administrative update capabilities to a program participant’s account security information and adding a trip ticket number to a previously completed landing transaction form.

• Non-IFQ landing notifications, including vessel involved in landing, landing location, and time/date of landing.

South Atlantic Wreckfish ITQ Program

The wreckfish share transfer process requires the signatures of witnesses on paper forms. The ITQ program remains paper-based until the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NMFS consider whether to implement an electronic system.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently beginning discussions to transition the Wreckfish ITQ program to an electronic system. Wreckfish modernization was discussed at their September 2020 Council Meeting. The determination of burden will be discussed later after further details are known.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Question 2.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act's operational guidelines require each FMP and FMP amendment to evaluate existing state and federal laws that govern the fisheries in question, and the findings are made part of each FMP. Each fishery management council is comprised of state and federal officials responsible for resource management in their area. These two circumstances allow identification of other collections that may be gathering the same or similar information. In addition, each FMP undergoes extensive public comment periods where potential applicants review the proposed permit application requirements. Therefore, NMFS is confident it is aware of similar collections if they exist. The other information proposed to be collected is not being collected elsewhere; therefore, this data collection would not cause duplication.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

Because all applicants are considered small businesses, separate requirements based on size of business have not been developed. Only the minimum data to meet the current and future needs of NMFS fishery managers are requested from participants in the Southeast Region IFQ programs.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

NMFS would be unable to manage the Southeast Region IFQ and ITQ programs if this collection were not conducted or were conducted less frequently. The approved participants would be unknown and landing transactions could not be effectively tracked or enforced, which would result in allocations potentially being exceeded.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner that is inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

The following information collections require respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly:

• Transfer Allocation: Allocation must be in the vessel account in order to be landed.

• Landing Notifications: Vessels must report landing notifications for every trip in order to provide law enforcement the opportunity to meet the vessel at the time of landing.

• Landing Transaction: Dealers must report landing on the day of offload. It must be done more often than quarterly in order to report landings in real time and deduct the allocation from the vessel account. Without deducting the landing on the day of offload, the vessel could potentially harvest more fish than allowed, thus risking exceeding the annual catch limit.

• Landing Location: New participants must be able to submit new landing locations for review whenever they need to get landing locations approved by law enforcement.

• Share Transfers/ Share Receipt: The IFQ program constituents depend on transferability of the shares in order to enter or expand their participation. Participants can sell assets anytime throughout the year as part of their normal business practice, which will affect a participant's net worth, valuation, or ownership.

• CRF Forms: CRF is only collected quarterly.

• Landing Correction: Corrections must be done in a timely manner to adjust the allocation in a vessel account to ensure they have the correct allocation or else the vessel could potentially harvest more fish than allowed, thus risking exceeding the annual catch limit. Corrections may also be made to the price, resulting in an adjustment in the total CRF due. It is important the CRF due is accurate so the dealers do not pay more than they are supposed to.

• Close Accounts: Participants may want to close their IFQ account after life changing events (e.g., divorce, death, etc.) and need to be able to close whenever and only when it fits their personal needs.

• Account Application: Participants need to be able to request a new account whenever they need so they can enter the program. Without an IFQ account, they cannot participate in the IFQ program. Participants also use the Account Application to certify their citizenship, as required by the regulations.

• Wreckfish: Wreckfish shareholders depend on transferability of the shares in order to enter or expand their participation. Participants can sell assets anytime throughout the year as part of their normal business practice, which will affect a participant’s net worth, valuation, ownership.

The collection of information will otherwise be conducted in a manner consistent with OMB guidelines.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publications in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

On December 1, 2020, NMFS published a notice in the Federal Register soliciting public comments on the proposed extension and revision of the 0648-0551 information collection (85 FR 77174); however, no comments were received.

Because these data collection programs are part of fishery management plans, both scientific and constituent advisory committees have reviewed all aspects of the IFQ programs. Furthermore, comments and suggestions from affected fishermen are routinely submitted, reviewed, and considered. Experience with the IFQ programs, some of which have been operating for many years, provides a continual feedback mechanism to NMFS on issues and concerns to the respondents.

In late 2020, NMFS contacted two dealers as well as two additional dealers who also own vessels and are IFQ shareholders, 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 regarding different forms that they complete. Here is a summary of the comments received:

• The forms are laid out logically with clear instructions so we know exactly what is needed.

• It would be nice if we could complete the online application for citizenship online like we can with our permit renewals.

• The online forms are easy to follow and since we have been doing it so long, it is even easier.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There are no payments or other remunerations to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy. If the collection requires a systems of records notice (SORN) or privacy impact assessment (PIA), those should be cited and described here.

Gulf Red Snapper and Groupers and Tilefishes IFQ Programs

As stated on the forms, all data are treated as confidential in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of Confidential Fishery Statistics.

South Atlantic Wreckfish ITQ Program

Regulations at 50 CFR 622.172 require NMFS to provide each wreckfish shareholder with a list of all wreckfish shareholders with the names, addresses, and the percentage of shares for each shareholder on an annual basis. Based on past court decisions, the Freedom of Information Act serves as the basis for release of confidential name and address information via a NOAA Internet website for informational purposes. All other data submitted will be handled as confidential material in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of Confidential Fishery Statistics.

This information collection is collected, stored, used, and disseminated via NOAA system 4300, NMFS Southeast Regional Office Local Area Network, and a Senior Agency Officer for Privacy approved PIA is on file at https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/privacy/NOAA%20PIAs/NOAA4300_FY20_PIA_SAOP_Approved.pdf.

The following system of records notices (SORNs) apply to this collection of information:

COMMERCE/NOAA-11, Contact Information for Members of the Public Requesting or Providing Information Related to NOAA’s Mission;

COMMERCE/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries; and COMMERCE/NOAA-12, Marine Mammals, Endangered and Threatened Species, Permits and Exempted Applicants.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

One question that could be deemed sensitive is the value paid for the shares. Values are confidential and only released in aggregate form. This information is necessary for economic analysis to manage the wreckfish ITQ program. No one has ever objected to providing any of the information on the form.

The IFQ Online Account Application requires participants to submit their Social Security number for identification purposes. It is essential that entities are entered into the database and are able to be identified and distinguished from other entities. The IFQ programs are linked to the NMFS Permits database so the majority of the participants will not fill out the application because the data is already collected through the separate permit application process. However, not all IFQ participants are federal permit holders, so NMFS must collect their Social Security numbers through the IFQ Online Account Application. The applications that participants submit to NMFS are kept in a secure, locked cabinet to protect confidential data.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

Information Collection	Type of Respondent (Occupational Title)	# of Respondents per Year (a)	Annual # of Responses per Respondent (b)	Total No. of Annual Responses (c) = (a) x (b)	Burden Hour per Response (d)	Total Annual Burden Hr (e) = (c) x (d)	Mean Hourly Wage Rate ($) * for Type of Respondent (f)	Total Annual Wage Burden Costs ($) (g) = (e) x (f)
Dealer Landing Transaction Report**	First Receiver/Processor	125	57.21	7,151	6 min	715	33.50	23,955.85
Cost Recovery Fee Submission by Dealers	First Receiver/Processor	119	3.34	397	3 min	20	33.50	670
IFQ Notification of Landing	Fishermen	444	16.82	7,468	5 min	622	15.07	9,373.54
Transfer Shares	Fishermen	139	4.03	560	3 min	28	15.07	421.96
Share Receipt	Fishermen	139	4.03	560	2 min	19	15.07	286.33
Transfer Allocation	Fishermen	604	19.7	11,899	3 min	595	15.07	8,966.65
IFQ Online Account Application	Fishermen	107	1	107	13 min	23	15.07	348.27
Wreckfish Share Transfer	Fishermen	6	0.17	1	20 min	.33	15.07	15.07
Landing Transaction Correction Request	Fishermen	42	3.88	163	5 min	14	15.07	210.98
Commercial Reef Fish Landing Location Request (IFQ only)	Fishermen	26 (IFQ only)	1.27	33	5 min	3	15.07	45.21
Commercial Reef Fish Landing Location Request (non-IFQ)	Fishermen	105 (non-IFQ reef fish only)	0.38	40	5 min	3	15.07	45.21
Account Update	Fishermen	31	1	31	2 min	1	15.07	15.07
Trip Ticket Update	Fishermen	34	11.12	378	2 min	13	15.07	195.91
Gulf Reef Fish Notification of Landing	Fishermen	105	9.83	1,033	3 min	52	15.07	783.64
IFQ Close Account	Fishermen	9	1	9	3 min	1	15.07	15.07
Totals				29,830		2,109		45,348.76

* Wage rates obtained from https://www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm. Compiled on 11/17/2020.

** This information collection form is collected electronically but also has a paper form that may be used during NMFS-declared catastrophic conditions, such as in a localized area negatively affected after a hurricane. The estimated burden for the paper form is 5 minutes per response due to slightly less requested information. NMFS does not estimate the burdens for this paper form separately because its use would be limited both in duration and in numbers of respondents and responses. Further, the provided estimates account for any responses and corresponding burden for use of the paper form.

13. Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet.)

NMFS collects cost-recovery fees for the red snapper, and groupers and tilefishes IFQ programs, pursuant to section 304(d)(2)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which provides the Secretary of Commerce the authority to establish a fee to assist in recovering the actual costs directly related the management and enforcement of any IFQ program. However, such fees are not considered recordkeeping or reporting cost under the PRA.

For several information collections, the estimated annual recordkeeping or reporting costs are limited to postage and envelopes to mail forms to NMFS.

Recordkeeping and reporting costs for the Gulf Reef Fish Notification of Landing would be based on which VMS vendor and data plan is used by each vessel owner or operator to submit the form. While CLS America and some other VMS vendors are known to be more widely used than others in the commercial fleet, NMFS does not have information on the numerical breakdown of plan types used by individual participants for any VMS manufacturer. Therefore, to estimate total additional costs, NMFS assumes each respondent uses a McMurdo (Boatracs) VMS unit with the highest per message cost at $0.33 per response (trip).

The following cost adjustment to the estimated annual total reflects a decrease to the expected number of annual responses. IFQ Online Account Application form, at $1 per response, decreases the estimated annual total from $133 to $107.

Information Collection	No. of Respondents Annually (a)	Annual No. of Responses per Respondent (b)	Total No. of Annual Responses (c)=(a) x (b)	Cost Burden per Response ($) (h)	Total Annual Cost Burden ($) (i) = (c) x (h)
Dealer Landing Transaction Report	125	57.21	7,151	0	0
Transfer Shares	139	4.03	560	0	0
Share Receipt	139	4.03	560	0	0
IFQ Notification of Landing	444	16.82	7,468	0	0
Transfer Allocation	604	19.7	11,899	0	0
IFQ Online Account Application	107	1	107	1	107
Landing Transaction Correction Request	42	3.88	163	1	163
Cost Recovery Fee Submission by Dealers	119	3.34	397	0	0
Commercial Reef Fish Landing Location Request (IFQ)	26	1.27	33	0	0
Wreckfish Quota Share Transfer	6	0.17	1	1	1
IFQ Close Account	9	1	9	1	9
Account Update	31	1	31	0	0
Trip Ticket Update	34	11.12	378	0	0
Gulf Reef Fish Notification of Landing	105	9.8	1,033	0.33	341
Commercial Reef Fish Landing Location Request (non-IFQ)	105	0.4	40; 4 by mail	1	$4
TOTALS			29,830		625

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

Cost Descriptions	Grade/Step	Loaded Salary ($)	Percent of Effort	Fringe (if Applies)	Total Cost to Government ($)
Manager	14	161,710.50	50		80,855
Customer Service Rep (3)	11	96,013.50	100		96,014
Web Developer	13	136,846.50	25		34,212
Contractor Cost		117,000.00	100		117,000
24-hour Call Service					7,200
Travel					15,000
Wreckfish Coupons					1,000
Law Enforcement Joint Enforcement Agreement					559,183
Research and Monitoring					361,667
Printing					931
TOTAL					1,273,061

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in ROCIS.

The only program change in 0648-0551 is to the IFQ Online Account Application. This form was previously referred to as the “IFQ Online Account Renewal Application.” However, since this application is also used for new accounts for those who do not have a permit, the term “renewal” is not applicable. The estimated time burden of the IFQ Online Account Application also increased from 10 minutes to 13 minutes per response from the addition of the demographic and business questions previously described.

There was also an adjustment to the number of estimated respondents for the IFQ Online Account Application since the last approval. The number of respondents can fluctuate on a daily basis with the addition of new accounts or the closure of unused accounts. IFQ shareholders and dealers can request new accounts or request to close their existing account at any time. Similarly, wreckfish shareholders can transfer their shares at any time and leave the fishery. Accounts can also fluctuate between statuses (e.g., “ACTIVE” and “SUSPENDED”). Accounts in “SUSPENDED” status cannot perform any activities, thus are not considered active participants. However, the fluctuations do not vary widely. The number of respondents overall can vary inter and intra-annually.

Information Collection	Respondents		Responses		Burden Hours		Reason for change or adjustment
	Current Renewal / Revision	Previous Renewal / Revision	Current Renewal / Revision	Previous Renewal / Revision	Current Renewal / Revision	Previous Renewal / Revision
Dealer Landing Transaction Report	125	119	7,151	10,034	715	1,003	Routine variation caused respondents to increase slightly, responses to decrease, and a decrease to burden hours, accordingly.
IFQ Online Account Application	107	133	107	133	23	22	Routine variation caused respondents and responses to decrease. Burden hours increase slightly because estimated time burden per response increases from 10 to 13 minutes.
Total for Collection	1,164	1,184	29,830	32,739	2,109	2,396
Difference	-20		-2,909		-287

Information Collection	Labor Costs		Miscellaneous Costs		Reason for change or adjustment
	Current $	Previous $	Current $	Previous $
Dealer Landing Transaction Report	23,955.85	14,533.47			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data, and accounting for revised number of respondents and responses.
IFQ Online Account Application	348.27	318.78	107	133	Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data, and accounting for revised number of respondents and responses; and revised collection title.
Cost Recovery Fee Submission by Dealers	670	289.80			Labor costs changed from updated occupational title and mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
IFQ Notification of Landing	9,373.54	9,012.78			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Transfer Shares	421.96	405.72			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Share Receipt	286.33	275.31			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Transfer Allocation	8,966.65	8,621.55			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Wreckfish Share Transfer	15.07	14.49			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Landings Correction Request Form	210.98	202.86			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Commercial Reef Fish Landing Location Request (IFQ only)	45.21	43.47			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Commercial Reef Fish Landing Location Request (non-IFQ)	45.21	43.47			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Account Update	15.07	14.49			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Trip Ticket Update	195.91	188.37			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Gulf Reef Fish Notification of Landing	783.64	753.48			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
IFQ Close Account	15.07	14.49			Labor costs changed from updated mean wage rate using BLS Occupational Data.
Total for Collection	45,348.76	34,732.53	625	651
Difference			-$26

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The results from this collection are not planned for peer-review publication. IFQ program staff complete a summary report for each program annually and posts these reports online. These reports comply with Information Quality Act guidelines. NMFS aggregates collected data as needed to maintain confidentiality when disseminating data.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

NMFS plans to display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection on all instruments.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

The agency certifies compliance with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

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