0648-0213 Supporting Statement Part A

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Alaska Region Logbook and Activity Family of Forms

OMB Control No. 0648-0213

SUPPORTING STATEMENT PART A

Abstract

The National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Regional Office, requests extension of this currently approved information collection for paper logbooks and reports used for management of the groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) and the Gulf of Alaska; management of the Individual Fishing Quota halibut and sablefish fisheries; and management of the BSAI Crab Rationalization Program crab fisheries.

Collecting information from fishery participants is necessary to promote successful management of groundfish, crab, Pacific halibut, and salmon resources. A comprehensive information system that identifies the participants and monitors their fishing activity is necessary to enforce management measures, prevent overfishing, and measure the consequences of management controls. This collection supports an effective monitoring and enforcement system with information that includes identification of the participating vessels, operators, dealers, and processors; location of the fishing activity; timeframes when fishing and processing is occurring; and shipment and transfer of fishing products. The information collected promotes the goals and objectives of the fishery management plans, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws.

The text for one data field on the Product Transfer Report form has been clarified to include that it collects the shipper’s Federal Processor Permit (FPP) number. This is necessary to make the form consistent with the form’s instructions and with regulations that require the shipper’s FPP number or Federal Fisheries Permit number to be included on the report. This does not change the respondents, responses, or burden for this report.

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.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Region manages the groundfish and crab fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) and the groundfish fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) under fishery management plans for the respective areas. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council prepared, and NMFS approved, the fishery management plans under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (Magnuson-Stevens Act). The fishery management plans are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR parts 679 and 680. Regulations for the logbooks and reports in this information collection are at 50 CFR 679.5.

NMFS must have the best available biological and socioeconomic information with which to carry out its responsibilities for conserving and managing groundfish resources, as well as other fish resources, such as crab, halibut, and salmon, that are incidentally caught in the groundfish fishery.

This information collection consists of paper logbooks and reports used for management of the groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) and the Gulf of Alaska (GOA); for management of the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) halibut and sablefish fisheries; and for management of the BSAI Crab Rationalization Program crab fisheries. The information collected through the paper logbooks and reports promotes the goals and objectives of the fishery management plans, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws.

The collection of reliable data is essential to the effective conservation, management, and scientific understanding of the fishery resources. NMFS requires vessels and processors participating in federally managed groundfish and crab fisheries off Alaska to provide information necessary for conservation and management of the fisheries. NMFS must have the best available biological and socioeconomic information with which to carry out its responsibilities for conserving and managing groundfish resources, as well as other fish resources, such as crab, halibut, and salmon, that are incidentally caught in the groundfish fishery.

Collecting information from fishery participants is necessary in order to promote successful management of groundfish, crab, Pacific halibut, and salmon resources. A comprehensive information system that identifies the participants and monitors their fishing activity is necessary to enforce the management measures and prevent overfishing. An information system is also needed to measure the consequences of management controls. This collection supports an effective monitoring and enforcement system with information that includes identification of the participating vessels, operators, dealers, and processors; location of the fishing activity; timeframes when fishing and processing is occurring; and shipment and transfer of fishing products.

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.

All vessels of the United States harvesting EEZ fish and shoreside processors, stationary floating processors (SFPs), and motherships receiving EEZ-caught fish are required to hold a Federal permit and thus comply with reporting requirements per 50 CFR 679.5. The data collected are used for making in-season and inter-season management decisions that affect the groundfish resources and the fishing industry that uses them.

This information collection contains four components: paper logbooks, vessel activity reports, check-in/check-out reports, and product transfer reports. In some cases there are several forms within a collection; for example, there are two types of check-in/check-out reports—shoreside processor and mothership. Table 1 and the following sections provide more detail on each of the components and the associated forms.

Table 1. The components in this information collection.

Collection Title	Form Name	Regulations (50 CFR)	Who Submits	When Submitted	How Submitted
Paper Logbooks	Catcher vessel trawl gear Daily Fishing Logbook (DFL)	§§ 679.5(c)(4) and 679.134(f)(1)(i)	Operator of a Catcher Vessel	See Table 2	Mail or by hand
	Catcher vessel longline/pot gear Daily Fishing Logbook (DFL)	§ 679.5(c)(3)	Operator of a Catcher Vessel	See Table 2	Mail or by hand
	Catcher/processor longline/pot gear Daily Cumulative Production Logbook (DCPL)	§ 679.5(c)(3)	Operator of a Catcher/Processor	See Table 2	Mail or by hand
Vessel Activity Report	U.S. Vessel Activity Report (VAR)	§ 679.5(k)	Operator of a Catcher Vessel, C/P, or Mothership	Before crossing seaward boundary of EEZ or before crossing US Canadian International boundary	Fax or email
Check-in / Check-out Report	Shoreside Processor Check-in / Check-out Report	§ 679.5(h)	Manager of a shoreside processor or Stationary Floating Processor	Check-in report prior to becoming active and a check-out report for every check-in report submitted	Fax or email
	Mothership Check-in / Check-out Report	§ 679.5(h)	Operator of a catcher/processor or mothership	Check-in report prior to becoming active and a check-out report for every check-in report submitted	Fax or email
Product Transfer Report	Product Transfer Report	§§ 679.5(g) and 679.134(f)(4)	Operator of a mothership or catcher/ processor Manager of a shoreside processor or stationary floating processor Registered Buyer Registered Crab Receiver	By 1200 Alaska local time of the Tuesday following the week of transfer	Fax or email

Dissemination of Information

NOAA 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 consistent with NOAA's information quality guidelines.

Revisions to this Collection Since the Last Extension

This information collection has been revised once since the last extension was approved in 2021. In 2023, OMB approved a revision to this collection due to the final rule that implemented Amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, which established the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC Program) (88 FR 53704, August 8, 2023). This collection was revised to add requirements for catcher vessels participating in the PCTC Program to maintain a trawl gear daily fishing logbook and for catcher/processors and shoreside processors authorized as PCTC Program processors to submit a product transfer report. These requirements were part of a suite of monitoring and enforcement provisions for the PCTC Program necessary to track quota, harvest, and use caps.

Paper Logbooks

Daily logbooks are required in the groundfish, crab, and halibut fisheries and information collected on a logbook is necessary to provide data about the location and timing of fishing effort, as well as record discard information of prohibited species. NMFS Office for Law Enforcement (OLE) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) use logbook information during vessel boardings and site visits to ensure conservation of groundfish, compliance with regulations, and reporting accuracy by the fishing industry. The logbooks are also an important source of information for NMFS to determine where (vessel position coordinate) and when fishing activity occurs and the number of sets and hauls.

There are three paper logbook forms:

• Catcher Vessel Trawl Gear Daily Fishing Logbook (DFL);

• Catcher Vessel Longline/pot Gear DFL;

• Catcher/processor Longline/pot Gear Daily Cumulative Production Logbook (DCPL).

The logbooks are designed to provide a convenient method to enter information that serves both the business needs of the fishing industry and the data collection requirements of NMFS. Copies of the logbook forms and instructions are available on the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/resources-fishing/alaska-recordkeeping-and-reporting-logbook-logsheets. NMFS also provides electronic logbooks (approved under OMB Control Number 0648-0515) for use by the fishing industry.

Each paper logbook page has multiple self-copy logsheets that the operator must distribute as described in Table 2.

Table 2. Disposition of the five copies of the logbook pages, where they are submitted, and the time limits for submission.

Logsheet Color	Paper Logbook Type			Submit To	Time Limit
	Catcher Vessel Trawl DFL	Catcher Vessel Longline/ Pot DFL	Catcher /Processor Longline/Pot DCPL
White	X	X	X	Permanent copy stays in logbook
Goldenrod	X	X	X	Observer	After signature of operator and prior to departure of observer from the vessel.
Yellow	X	X		NMFS Office for Law Enforcement*	Quarter 1: May 1 Quarter 2: August 1 Quarter 3: November 1 Quarter 4: Feb 1 of following year
Blue	X	X		Processor that receives the harvest	Within 2 hours after completion of catch delivery
Green	X		X	International Pacific Halibut Commission	After catch is off-loaded

* NMFS Office for Law Enforcement Alaska Region Logbook Program

P.O. Box 21767

Juneau, AK 99802-1767

i. Catcher Vessel Trawl Gear Daily Fishing Logbook (DFL)

The operator of a catcher vessel 60 ft (18.3 m) or greater length overall (LOA), that is required to have a Federal fisheries permit (FFP) under § 679.4(b), and that is using trawl gear to harvest groundfish must maintain a trawl gear DFL. Operators of catcher vessels participating in the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program fishery, regardless of LOA, are required to maintain a DFL for trawl gear as described in § 679.5(c)(4).

An operator of a catcher vessel using trawl gear may use a NMFS-approved catcher vessel trawl gear electronic logbook (see OMB Control Number 0648-0515) instead of using the paper catcher vessel trawl gear DFL (§ 679.5(f)(1)(iii)).

The operator must account for each day of the fishing year, January 1 through December 31, in the trawl gear DFL and indicate whether the vessel was inactive or active during the time period. Table 3 lists all the information that must be recorded on one logbook page in the catcher vessel trawl gear DFL during inactive periods. Table 4 describes all of the information that the operator must enter into the catcher vessel trawl gear DFL on each active day.

ii. Catcher vessel longline/pot gear Daily Fishing Logbook (DFL)

The requirement to complete and submit a catcher vessel longline/pot DFL depends on the vessel length, area fished, and fishing year. The operator of a catcher vessel is required to maintain a DFL when operating a catcher vessel that is—

• 60 ft or greater LOA and is required to have an FFP under § 679.4(b) and is using longline or pot gear to harvest groundfish;

• 60 ft or greater LOA and fishing in the GOA using longline gear or pot gear to harvest IFQ sablefish and when using gear composed of lines with hooks attached, setline gear (IPHC), or pot gear to harvest IFQ halibut;

• less than 60 ft LOA and using longline pot gear in the GOA;

• less than 60 ft LOA and using pot gear to harvest IFQ or Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) halibut or IFQ or CDQ sablefish in the BSAI;

• 60 ft or greater LOA and fishing in the BSAI using hook-and-line gear or pot gear to harvest IFQ sablefish, and when using gear composed of lines with hooks attached or setline gear (IPHC) to harvest IFQ halibut or CDQ halibut; 60 ft or greater LOA, and using pot gear to harvest CR crab from the BSAI.

Operators may use a NMFS-approved catcher vessel longline or pot gear electronic logbook (see OMB Control No. 0648-0515) instead of the paper catcher vessel longline or pot gear DFL (§ 679.5(f)(1)(i)).

The operator must account for each day of the fishing year, January 1 through December 31, in the DFL and indicate whether the vessel was inactive or active during the time period. Table 3 lists all the information that must recorded on one logbook page in the catcher vessel longline/pot DFL during inactive periods. Table 4 describes all of the information that the operator must enter into the catcher vessel longline/pot DFL on each active day.

iii. Catcher/processor Longline/pot Gear Daily Cumulative Production Logbook (DCPL)

The operator of a catcher/processor that is required to have an FFP under § 679.4(b) and that uses longline or pot gear to harvest groundfish or to harvest IFQ sablefish or IFQ halibut from the GOA, uses pot gear to harvest IFQ or CDQ halibut or IFQ and CDQ sablefish in the BSAI, uses pot gear to harvest CR crab from the BSAI, or uses longline pot gear to fish IFQ sablefish and IFQ halibut in the GOA must use the catcher/processor longline and pot gear DCPL to record and report daily processor identification and catch-by-set information.

Operators may use a NMFS-approved catcher/processor longline or pot gear electronic logbook (see OMB Control No. 0648-0515) instead of the paper catcher/processor longline or pot gear DCPL (§ 679.5(f)(1)(i)). The longline and pot catcher/processor electronic logbook is used by all but one catcher/processor.

The operator must account for each day of the fishing year, January 1 through December 31, in the DCPL and indicate whether the processor was inactive or active during the time period. Table 3 lists all the information that must recorded on one logbook page in the DCPL during inactive periods. Table 4 describes all of the information that the operator must enter into the DCPL on each active day.

Table 3. Data fields completed on catcher vessel and catcher/processor paper logbooks on each inactive fishing day. If the inactive time period extends across two or more successive quarters, the operator must complete a logbook page for each inactive quarter. The logbook page created for an inactive quarter must indicate the first and last day of the respective inactive quarter. An X indicates that the field is submitted by the user on the form.

Data Field	Paper Logbook Type
	Catcher Vessel Trawl DFL	Catcher Vessel Longline/Pot DFL	Catcher/Processor Longline/Pot DCPL
Page Number	X	X	X
Operator Printed Name and Signature	X	X	X
Vessel Name	X	X	X
FFP or Federal Crab Vessel Permit Number	X	X	X
ADF&G Vessel Registration Number	X	X
ADF&G Processor Code			X
Inactive (check-box)	X	X	X
Date of First Day When Inactive	X	X	X
Brief Explanation Why Inactive	X	X	X
Date of Last Day when Inactive	X	X	X

Table 4. Data fields completed on catcher vessel and catcher/processor paper logbooks on each active fishing day. An X indicates that the field is submitted by the user on the form.

Data Field	Paper Logbook Type
	Catcher Vessel Trawl DFL	Catcher Vessel Longline/Pot DFL	Catcher/Processor Longline/Pot DCPL
Page Number	X	X	X
Operator Printed Name and Signature	X	X	X
Name of Vessel	X	X	X
FFP or Federal Crab Vessel permit number	X	X	X
ADF&G Vessel registration number	X	X
ADF&G Processor Code			X
IFQ permit number of the operator		X	X
CDQ permit number and group number		X	X
Crew Size	X	X	X
Number of observers onboard	X	X	X
Name and cruise number of observer	X	X	X
Management Program	X	X	X
Management program ID (if applicable)	X	X	X
Federal Reporting Area of catch	X	X	X
Whether harvest occurred in COBLZ or RKCSA (if applicable)	X
Gear Type	X	X	X
Gear Details (including skate length, book size, hook spacing)		X	X
Set or Haul Number	X	X	X
Date and Time of Gear Set/Deployed	X	X	X
Date and Time of Gear Hauled/Retrieved	X	X	X
Gear Begin Position	X	X	X
Gear End Position	X	X	X
Begin and End buoy or bag numbers		X	X
Begin and End Gear Depths		X	X
Average Gear and Sea Depth	X
Number of skates or pots set and lost		X	X
Target Species Code	X	X	X
Estimated Total Hail Weight	X	X	X
IR/IU Species Codes	X	X	X
CDQ/IFQ halibut & IFQ sablefish weight in pounds		X	X
CR Crab		X	X
Check mark if moved to avoid Chinook salmon bycatch (If applicable)	X
Bird Avoidance Gear		X	X
Number marine mammals sighted		X	X
Number of fish and hooks damaged		X	X
Discard or Disposition Date	X	X
Weight of each species – Daily Total	X	X
Weight of each Prohibited species – Daily Total	X	X
Weekly cumulative Total	X	X
Date delivery completed	X	X
ADF&G Fish Ticket	X	X
Name of Recipient, RCR, or Registered Buyer	X	X
Name of Port or Port Code	X	X

Vessel Activity Report

A Vessel Activity Report (VAR) provides information about fish or fish product on board a vessel when it crosses the boundary of the EEZ off Alaska or crosses the U.S.–Canada international boundary between Alaska and British Columbia. NOAA OLE and USCG boarding officers use this information to audit and separate product inventory when boarding a vessel. If a vessel does not file a VAR and has fish or fish product on board when it enters the EEZ off Alaska, NMFS assumes the fish were harvested in U.S. waters. Without the requirement to submit a VAR prior to crossing, vessel operators may be more inclined to illegally fish in Federal waters and claim retained product was harvested from foreign or international waters.

Except as noted below, the operator of a catcher vessel greater than 60 ft LOA, a catcher/processor, or a mothership required to hold a FFP issued under part 679 and carrying fish or fish product onboard must complete and submit a VAR before the vessel crosses the seaward boundary of the EEZ off Alaska or crosses the U.S.–Canada international boundary between Alaska and British Columbia. If fish or fish products are landed at a port other than the one specified on the VAR, the operator must submit a revised VAR showing the actual port of landing before any fish are offloaded.

If a vessel is carrying non-IFQ groundfish and IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish or CR Program crab, the operator must submit a VAR in addition to an IFQ Departure Report required by § 679.5(l)(4) (see OMB Control No. 0648-0272). A VAR is not required if a vessel is carrying only IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, or CR Program crab on board and the operator has submitted an IFQ Departure Report required by § 679.5(l)(4).

The VAR is available online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/resources-fishing/alaska-recordkeeping-and-reporting-forms. The operator must enter the following information on a VAR:

• Whether it is an original or revised report

• Vessel name and FFP number or RCR permit number

• Vessel type

• Representative name, telephone number, fax number, and COMSAT number (if available)

• If a “return report” where the vessels is intending to land in Alaska:

  • Port of landing

  • Date and time (Greenwich Mean Time) vessel will cross boundary

  • Latitude and longitude where vessel will cross

• If a “depart report” where the vessel is leaving Alaska:

  • Intended U.S. port of landing or country other than the United States

  • Date and time (Greenwich Mean Time) vessel will cross boundary

  • Latitude and longitude where vessel will cross

• Russian Zone -- whether vessel is returning from or departing to fish in the Russian zone

• Fish or fish product (including non-groundfish) onboard the vessel when crossing:

  • Harvest zone code where groundfish were harvested

  • Species code, Product code, and Total product weight of fish product onboard in pounds or nearest 0.001 metric ton.

Check-in / Check-out Report

Check-in/check-out reports provide information on participation by processors and motherships in the groundfish fisheries. The check-in/check-out information is used by NMFS in-season managers to monitor the fishing capacity and effort in fishery allocations and quotas. Additionally, NOAA OLE agents use this information to track commercial business activity and ensure accurate accountability and proper reporting is being performed.

i. Shoreside Processor Check-in / Check-out Report

The manager of a shoreside processor or SFP is required to submit a check-in report via fax ((907) 586-7131) or email (nmfs.akr.monitoring@noaa.gov) prior to participation in a groundfish fishery and to submit a check-out report upon completion of that participation. If a processor is continually active through the end of a fishing year (and a check-out report was not previously submitted during the fishing year), then the processor must submit a check-out report on December 31, and they must submit a check-in report to start the new year on January 1.

The shoreside processor check-in and check-out report is available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/resources-fishing/alaska-recordkeeping-and-reporting-forms. The manager must enter the following information check-in/check-out report:

• Processor name and ADF&G processor code

• Federal processor permit (FPP) number

• Representative name, business telephone number, and business fax number

• If check-in report:

  • Indicate that it is a check-in report

  • Whether checking in: a) for the first time this fishing year; or b) to restart receipt and processing of groundfish after filing a check-out report

  • Whether an original or revised report

  • Date and time receipt of groundfish will begin

  • If SFP, give latitude and longitude of position where receiving groundfish

• If check-out report:

  • Indicate that it is a check-out report

  • Whether an original or revised report

  • Date and time when the last receipt or processing of groundfish was completed

  • Weight (and units) of all fish or fish products (including non-groundfish) remaining at the facility (other than public cold storage) by species codes and product code.

ii. Mothership Check-in / Check-out

The operator of a mothership must submit via fax (907) 586-7131) or email (nmfs.akr.monitoring@noaa.gov) to NMFS a check-in report (BEGIN message) prior to becoming active and a check-out report (CEASE message) for every check-in report submitted.

A mothership that is carrying on board an operational vessel monitoring system (See OMB Control No. 0648-0445) is exempt from submitting a check-in/check-out report to NMFS. The information collected through the check-in/check-out report may be obtained through the combination of a vessel monitoring system and the Interagency Electronic Reporting System (see OMB Control No. 0648-0515). Currently, all motherships have VMS and are exempt from submitting the check-in/check-out report; therefore, no mothership check-in/check-out reports are expected to be submitted during the 3-yr renewal period of this information collection.

The mothership check-in and check-out report is available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/resources-fishing/alaska-recordkeeping-and-reporting-forms. The operator must enter the following information:

• Indicate whether it is an Original or Revised Report.

• Vessel Name

• Vessel ADF&G Processor Code

• Vessel Federal Fisheries Permit Number

• Name, telephone number, and fax number of vessel representative

• Satellite communications contact (COMSAT) number

• Management Program

• Gear Type

• If check-in report (BEGIN message):

  • Date and Time

  • Latitude and longitude where groundfish receipt begins.

  • Federal Reporting Area.

  • COBLZ or RKCSA

  • Primary and Secondary Target Species Codes. Record the two main species expected to receive in the following week

• If check-out report (CEASE message):

• Date and Time

• Latitude and longitude where the last receipt of groundfish was completed.

• Reporting area code where last receipt of groundfish was completed

Product Transfer Report

Product Transfer Reports (PTR) provide information on the volume of groundfish disposed of by persons buying it from the harvesters. The PTR is an important enforcement document and provides an important check on buyer purchase reports. Information collected on PTRs is used by NOAA OLE to verify the accuracy of reported shipments through physical inspections. NOAA OLE uses the PTR to monitor movement of product in and out of the processor on a timely basis.

With exceptions (see below), regulations at § 679.5(g) require the following:

• Operators of motherships, catcher/processors, or managers of shoreside processors or stationary floating processors must complete and submit a separate PTR for each shipment of groundfish and donated prohibited species caught in groundfish fisheries.

• Registered Buyers must submit a separate PTR for each shipment of halibut or sablefish, other than those conducting dockside sales, for which the Registered Buyer was required to submit an IFQ landing report under § 679.5(e)(7).

• Registered Crab Receivers (RCR) must submit a separate PTR for each shipment of crab for which the RCR was required to submit a Registered Crab Landing Report under § 679.5(e)(8).

Additionally, regulations at § 679.134(f)(4) require operators of catcher/processors designated on an LLP license with a BSAI Pacific cod trawl mothership endorsement and managers of shoreside processors that are authorized as processors in the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program to submit a PTR as described in § 679.5(g).

The exceptions to these submittal requirements are as follows:

• Bait sales (non-IFQ groundfish only). During one calendar day, the operator or manager may aggregate and record on one PTR the individual sales or shipments of non-IFQ groundfish to vessels for bait purposes during the day recording the amount of such bait product shipped from a vessel or facility that day.

• Retail sales, IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, CDQ halibut, and non-IFQ groundfish. During one calendar day, the operator, manager, or Registered Buyer may aggregate and record on one PTR the amount of transferred retail product of IFQ halibut, IFQ sablefish, CDQ halibut, and non-IFQ groundfish if each sale weighs less than 10 lb or 4.5 kg.

• Retail sales, CR Program crab. During one calendar day, the RCR may aggregate and record on one PTR the amount of transferred retail product of CR crab if each sale weighs less than 100 lb or 45 kg.

• Wholesale sales (non-IFQ groundfish only). The operator or manager may aggregate and record on one PTR, wholesale sales of non-IFQ groundfish by species when recording the amount of such wholesale species leaving a vessel or facility in one calendar day, if invoices detailing destinations for the entire product are available for inspection by an authorized officer.

The time limits for completing and submitting PTRs are as follows:

• All product transfer information must be recorded on a PTR within 2 hours of the completion of the shipment.

• The PTR must be submitted (either by fax or by email) by 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), on the Tuesday following the end of the applicable weekly reporting period in which the shipment occurred.

• If any information on the original PTR changes prior to the first destination of the shipment, a revised PTR must be submitted by 1200 hours, A.l.t., on the Tuesday following the end of the applicable weekly reporting period in which the change occurred.

The PTR form is available on at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/resources-fishing/alaska-recordkeeping-and-reporting-forms. The following information is required to be completed on the PTR:

• Indicate whether an original or revised report

• Representative name, telephone number and fax number of the shipper, where the shipper depends on what is being shipped:

  • If shipping non-IFQ groundfish: Processor’s name and FPP number.

  • If shipping IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut or IFQ sablefish: Registered Buyer name and permit number.

  • If shipping CR crab: RCR name and permit number.

  • If shipping non-IFQ groundfish, IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut or IFQ sablefish, and CR crab on the same PTR: Processor name and FFP or FPP number, Registered Buyer name and permit number, RCR name and permit number

• Start date, start time, finish date, and finish time of product transfer

• Transfer Information as outlined in Table 5.

• Products shipped:

  • Species and product code

  • Species weight (use only if recording 2 or more species with 2 or more product types contained within the same production unit)

  • Number of units

  • Unit weight (lb or kg)

  • Total weight (lb or kg)

• Total or partial offload information (mothership or catcher/processor only):

  • Indicate whether transfer is a total or partial offload

  • If a mothership or catcher/processor, indicate whether fish or fish products are left onboard the vessel (partial offload) after the shipment is complete.

  • If a partial offload, for the products remaining on board after the transfer, enter for each product:

    • Species code

    • Product code

    • Total product weight (lb or MT)

With this renewal, the text for one data field on the PTR form has been clarified to include that it collects the shipper’s FPP number. The text now reads “FFP No. or FPP No.” This change is necessary to make the form consistent with the instructions for the form and with § 679.5(g)(4)(ii), which requires the shipper’s FFP number or FPP number to be included on the PTR. This does not change the respondents, responses, or burden for the form.

Table 5. Information for entering the receiver, date, time, and location of transfer and mode of transportation on a Product Transfer Report (PTR).

If you are the shipper and …	Then enter ...
	Receiver	Date & time of product transfer	Location of product transfer	Mode of transportation & intended route
Receiver is on land and transfer involves one van, truck, or vehicle.	Receiver name and Federal fisheries, Federal processor, or Federal crab vessel permit number (if any).	Date/time when shipment leaves the plant.	Port or city of product transfer.	Name of the shipping company; destination city and state or foreign country.
Receiver is on land and transfer involves multiple vans, trucks or vehicles.	Receiver name and Federal fisheries, Federal processor, or Federal crab vessel permit number (if any).	Date/time when loading of vans or trucks is completed each day.	Port or city of product transfer.	Name of the shipping company; destination city and state or foreign country
Receiver is on land and transfer involves one airline flight.	Receiver name and Federal fisheries, Federal processor, or Federal crab vessel permit number (if any).	Date/time when shipment leaves the plant.	Port or city of product transfer.	Name of the airline company; destination airport city and state.
Receiver is on land and transfer involves multiple airline flights.	Receiver name and Federal fisheries, Federal processor, or Federal crab vessel permit number (if any).	Date/time of shipment when the last airline flight of the day leaves.	Port or city of product transfer.	Name of the airline company(s); destination airport(s) city and state.
Receiver is a vessel and transfer occurs at sea.	Vessel name and call sign	Start/finish dates and times of transfer.	Transfer position coordinates in latitude and longitude, in degrees and minutes.	The first destination of the vessel.
Receiver is a vessel and transfer takes place in port.	Vessel name and call sign	Start/finish dates and times of transfer.	Port or position of product transfer.	The first destination of the vessel.
Receiver is an agent (buyer, distributor, shipping agent) and transfer is in a containerized van(s).	Agent name and location (city, state).	Transfer start/finish dates and times.	Port, city, or position of product transfer.	Name (if available) of the vessel transporting the van; destination port.
You are aggregating individual retail sales for human consumption. (see paragraph (g)(2) of this section).	“RETAIL SALES”	Date of transfer.	Port or city of product transfer.	N/A.
You are aggregating individual bait sales during a day onto one PTR (non-IFQ groundfish only).	“RETAIL SALES”	Date of transfer.	Port or city of product transfer.	N/A.
Non-IFQ Groundfish only. You are aggregating wholesale non-IFQ ground-fish product sales by species during a single day onto one PTR and maintaining invoices detailing destinations for all of the product for inspection by an authorized officer.	“WHOLESALE SALES”	Time of the first sale of the day; time of the last sale of the day.	Port or city of product transfer.	N/A.

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.

All of the information collected may be submitted electronically. Although this collection contains the paper logbooks, which cannot be submitted electronically, electronic logbooks are available and approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0515 (Alaska Interagency Electronic Reporting System). Operators who complete electronic logbooks are not required to complete the paper logbooks in this collection. All forms are available on the NMFS Alaska Region web site at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/resources-fishing/recordkeeping-and-reporting-federal-fisheries-alaska. The VAR, PTR, and Check-in/Check-out forms are fillable electronically, and may be printed and submitted to NMFS by email attachments or fax.

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 information collected as part of this collection does not duplicate other collections. Where there is overlap, the public is not required to complete duplicate reports. Under the Interagency Electronic Reporting System collection (see OMB Control No. 0648-0515), NMFS offers optional use of an electronic logbook; if the operator completes an electronic logbook, then they are not required to complete the paper logbooks in this collection. A mothership that is carrying on board an operational vessel monitoring system is exempt from submitting a check-in/check-out report to NMFS (see OMB Control No. 0648-0445). This reduces redundant reporting because the information collected through the check-in/check-out report may be obtained through the combination of a vessel monitoring system and the Interagency Electronic Reporting System.

In general, Alaska Region information collections are prepared and reviewed by staff familiar with all of the information collection requirements for the region. Staff work together to develop information collection requirements for new programs. In addition, NMFS staff work closely with the staff of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the International Pacific Halibut Commission to reduce duplication in information collection requirements to the extent possible given overlapping jurisdictions and complex fisheries. Senior staff at the Alaska Region, NMFS headquarters, and the Department of Commerce General Counsel review all new and revised information collection requirements that are associated with rulemakings. This process minimizes the potential for duplication of information collection requirements for participants in the Federal fisheries off Alaska.

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

NMFS attempts to minimize the burden of this collection on all respondents, including small entities, in several ways:

• Catcher vessels that are less than 60 ft LOA are not required to submit logbooks except for when using longline pot gear in the GOA, using pot gear to harvest IFQ or CDQ halibut or IFQ or CDQ sablefish in the BSAI, or participating in the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program fishery. This exemption from recordkeeping and reporting requirements reduces the burden for the operators of small vessels.

• NMFS staff are available to answer questions via email and telephone. Step-by-step instructions for completing each form in this collection are available online at—

  • https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/resources-fishing/alaska-recordkeeping-and-reporting-logbook-logsheets

  • https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/resources-fishing/alaska-recordkeeping-and-reporting-forms

• In addition to agency support staff, a Help Desk phone number and centralized email is manned from 6 a.m. to midnight every day and provides targeted assistance for logbooks, Product Transfer Reports, and Vessel Activity Reports, which are the more complicated forms in this collection.

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.

Landings and processing data are collected on a trip basis as required for all harvest and processing in Federal fisheries off Alaska. This data collection is necessary for NMFS to continue efficient monitoring and effective management practices for the fisheries of the EEZ off Alaska. If this collection were not conducted, the quality of NMFS fishery data would be greatly reduced and negatively impact NMFS management of fisheries, resulting in adverse impacts on the long-term biological stability and economic yield of the groundfish resource, the efficiency and economic viability of the domestic groundfish industry, and the credibility of the fishery management process itself.

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

Some collections may require a respondent to report information to the agency more often than quarterly. Check-in / Check-out Reports and printed reports must be recorded within the required time while the vessel is at sea, or if the processor closes operations and re-opens at a later date, which could result in information being submitted more often than quarterly. NMFS uses this information to verify and maintain accurate records of catch, and to ensure compliance with quotas in order to monitor and manage the fisheries.

This collection does not require respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it.

This collection does not require respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document.

This collection does not require respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in- aid, or tax records for more than three years.

This collection is not in connection with a statistical survey that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study.

This collection does not require the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB.

This collection does not include a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use.

This collection does not require respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

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.

A Federal Register Notice published on December 5, 2023 (88 FR 84305), that solicited public comments. The comment period ended on February 5, 2023. No comments were received. In addition to the Federal Register notice, NMFS contacted stakeholders 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, and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. No comments were received from the stakeholders or the Federal Register notice.

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

No payment or gift is provided to the 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.

All information collections by NMFS Alaska Region are protected under confidentiality provisions of section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006 (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.) and under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.

Disclosure of this information is permitted under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. Section 552a), to be shared within NMFS offices, in order to coordinate monitoring and management of sustainability of fisheries and protected resources, as well as with the applicable State or Regional Marine Fisheries Commissions and International Organizations. The System of Records Notice (SORN) that covers this information collection is COMMERCE/NOAA-6, Fishermen's Statistical Data.

The Privacy Impact Assessment that covers this information collection is NOAA NMFS Alaska Region Local Area Network (NOAA4700).

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.

This information collection does not involve information of a sensitive nature.

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

The respondents and responses have been updated to reflect the most current data. The hourly wage rate has been updated to use the most current rate available (May 2023) from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The wage rate estimate of $24.21 is the Alaska mean hourly wage for Occupation Code 45-0000 (Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations; https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm). Burden and wage rate estimates are updated and revised when new rates are available and when public comment supports doing so. Slight differences in the total annual burden hours and total annual wage burden costs may occur due to rounding.

Information Collection	Form Name	Type of Respondent (e.g., Occupational Title)	# of Respondents/ year (a)	Annual # of Responses / Respondent (b)	Total # of Annual Responses (c) = (a) x (b)	Burden Hrs / Response (d)	Total Annual Burden Hrs (e) = (c) x (d)	Hourly Wage Rate (for Type of Respondent) (f)	Total Annual Wage Burden Costs (g) = (e) x (f)
Paper Logbook	Catcher Vessel Trawl DFL	Operator of a Catcher Vessel	109	90	9,810	18 min.	2,943	$24.21	71,250
	Catcher Vessel Longline/ Pot DFL	Operator of a Catcher Vessel	80	75	6,000	35 min.	3,500	$24.21	84,735
	Catcher/ Processor Longline/ Pot DCPL	Operator of a Catcher/Processor	1	20	20	50 min.	17	$24.21	412
Check-In/Out (CICO) Report	Shoreside Processor CICO Report	Manager of a shoreside processor or Stationary Floating Processor	65	4	260	5 min.	22	$24.21	533
	Mothership CICO Report	Operator of a catcher/processor or mothership	0*	0	0	7 min.	0	$24.21	0
Product Transfer Report	Product Transfer Report	• Operator of a mothership or catcher/ processor; • Manager of a shoreside processor or stationary floating processor; • Registered Buyer; • Registered Crab Receiver	173	102	17,646	20 min.	5,882	$24.21	142,403
Vessel Activity Report	Vessel Activity Report	Operator of a Catcher Vessel, C/P, or Mothership	47	2	94	14 min.	22	$24.21	533
Totals					33,830		12,386		$299,866

*Currently, all motherships have VMS and are exempt from submitting the check-in/check-out report; therefore, no mothership check-in/check-out reports are expected to be received during the 3-yr renewal period of this information collection.

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).

Operating costs account for the typical inclusive general office services packages that include expenses such as email, fax, copying, mailing, printing, and internet.

Some respondents submit more than one instrument in this information collection review (ICR). Therefore, the number of unique respondents is used to show the estimated annual number of separate participants who are expected to submit information during the 3-year renewal period for this ICR. The estimated number of unique respondents equals the total number of respondents for the logbooks and check-in/check-out reports.

Information Collection	Form Name	# of Respondents/ year (a)	Annual # of Responses / Respondent (b)	Total # of Annual Responses (c) = (a) x (b)	Cost Burden / Respondent (h)	Total Annual Cost Burden (i) = (a) x (h)
Paper Logbook	Catcher vessel Trawl DFL	109	90	9,810	Mail logsheets $5 x 4 qtrs = $20	2,180
	Catcher vessel Longline/ Pot DFL	80	75	6,000	Mail logsheets $5 x 4 qtrs = $20	1,600
	Catcher/ Processor Longline/ Pot DCPL	1	20	20	Mail logsheets $5 x 4 qtrs = $20	20
Check-In/Out (CICO) Report	Shoreside Processor CICO Report	65	4	260	Operating costs - $5	325
	Mothership CICO Report	0	0	0	Operating costs - $5	0
Product Transfer Report	Product Transfer Report	173	102	17,646	Operating costs - $5	865
Vessel Activity Report	Vessel Activity Report	47	2	94	Operating costs -$5	235
TOTALS		255 (unique)		33,830		$5,225

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.

The tables below provide the annualized cost to the Federal government. Annual costs include printing and mailing logbooks and personnel costs for review, data entry, and filing. As printing costs vary, an average cost of $18.65 per logbook was used based on recent printing costs for the logbooks. As costs to mail the logbooks also vary, the total mailing cost is based on the cost of mailing logbooks in 2023 and 2024.

The fully loaded salary cost includes 52 percent of the salary to account for benefits and other overhead costs and is based on a capped out ZP3 step 1 ($102,286 * 1.52 = $155,475). The grade and step are from the Department of Commerce Alternative Personnel System (CAPS) 2024 pay tables (https://www.commerce.gov/hr/practitioners/caps/pay-administration). The general schedule grade equivalent for CAPS is included in parentheses.

Cost Descriptions	Grade/Step	Loaded Salary /Cost	% of Effort	Fringe (if Applicable)	Total Cost to Government
Federal Oversight	—	—	—		$0
Other Federal Positions
Fishery Management Specialist	ZP3 step 1 (GS 11/12)	$155,475	1%		$1,555
Contractor Cost		—	—	—	$27,500
Travel					$0
Other Costs: Printing and mailing costs					$13,955 (see table below)
TOTAL					$43,010

Title	Form	Description	Costs
Paper Logbooks	Catcher vessel Trawl DFL	Printing costs: 1200 x $18.65 (2 booklets per respondent)	$23.380
		Review, data entry, filing quarterly = 10 min. (102 x 4 x 10 min. = 68 hours annually)
	Catcher vessel Longline/ Pot DFL	Printing costs: 800 x $18.65 (2 booklets per respondent)	$14,920
		Review, data entry, filing quarterly = 10 min. (109 x 4 x 10 min. = 73 hours annually)
	Catcher/ Processor Longline/ Pot DCPL	Printing costs: 100 x $18.65 (1 booklet per respondent)	$1,865
		Review, data entry, filing quarterly = 10 min. (4 x 4 x 10 min = 3 hours annually)
	Total costs to mail logbooks to each respondent		$1,701
Check-In/Out (CICO) Report	Shoreside Processor CICO Report	Review, data entry, filing = 10 min. (260 x 10 min = 43 hours annually)
	Mothership CICO Report	Review, data entry, filing = 5 min. (2 x 5 min = 10 min annually)
Product Transfer Report	Product Transfer Report	Review, data entry, filing = 2 min. (17,646 x 2 min = 588 hours annually)
Vessel Activity Report	Vessel Activity Report	Time per response = 3 min. (94 x 3 min = 5 hours annually)
Total for Collection			$41,866 ($13,955 annualized)

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

The respondents and responses have been adjusted to reflect the most current data. Changes to the number of respondents and responses have affected the total burden hours, labor costs, and miscellaneous costs. Additional reasons for adjustments are noted in the tables.

Information Collection	Form Name	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
Paper Logbook	Catcher vessel Trawl DFL	109	109	9,810	9,810	2,943	2,943	—
	Catcher vessel Longline/ Pot DFL	80	109	6,000	8,175	3,500	4,769	—
	Catcher/ Processor Longline/ Pot DCPL	1	4	20	80	17	67	—
Check-In/Out (CICO) Report	Shoreside Processor CICO Report	65	65	260	260	22	22	—
	Mothership CICO Report	0	2	0	12	0	1	Currently, all motherships have VMS and are exempt from submitting the check-in/check-out report; therefore, no reports are expected to be submitted during the 3-yr renewal period of this information collection
Product Transfer Report (PTR)	PTR	173	173	17,646	17,646	5,882	5,882	—
Vessel Activity Report (VAR)	VAR	47	47	94	94	22	22	—
Total for Collection		255*	289*	33,830	36,077	12,386	13,706
Difference		-34 (adjustment)		-2,247 (adjustment)		- 1,320 (adjustment)

* Total respondents includes unique respondents only. Some respondents submit more than one instrument in this collection; therefore, the number of unique respondents is used to show the estimated annual number of separate participants who are expected to submit information during the 3-year renewal period for this information collection. The estimated number of unique respondents equals the total number of respondents for the logbooks and check-in/check-out reports.

Information Collection	Form Name	Labor Costs		Miscellaneous Costs		Reason for change or adjustment
		Current	Previous	Current	Previous
Paper Logbooks	Catcher vessel Trawl DFL	$71,250	$66,276	$2,180	$2,180	Labor costs: Updated to use the most current BLS hourly wage rate
	Catcher vessel Longline/ Pot DFL	$84,735	$107,398	$1,600	$2,180	Labor costs: Updated to use the most current BLS hourly wage rate
	Catcher/ Processor Longline/ Pot DCPL	$412	$1,509	$20	$80	Labor costs: Updated to use the most current BLS hourly wage rate
Check-In/Out (CICO) Report	Shoreside Processor CICO Report	$533	$495	$325	$325	Labor costs: Updated to use the most current BLS hourly wage rate
	Mothership CICO Report	0	$23	0	$10	Labor costs: The BLS hourly wage rate was updated to use the most current BLS rate; however, no mothership check-in/check-out reports are expected during the 3-yr renewal period of this information collection.
Product Transfer Report (PTR)	PTR	$142,403	$132,463	$865	$865	Labor costs: Updated to use the most current BLS hourly wage rate
Vessel Activity Report (VAR)	VAR	$533	$495	$235	$235	Labor costs: Updated to use the most current BLS hourly wage rate
Total for Collection		$299,866	$308,659	$5,225	$5,875
Difference		- $8,793 (adjustment)		- $650 (adjustment)

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 information collected will not be published.

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.

The agency 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).