Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and
Butterfish Amendment 14 Data Collection
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
11/07/2024
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
11/30/2024
10,035
10,035
766
766
4,358
4,358
This is a request for renewal of an
approved information collection. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, the Secretary of Commerce has the
responsibility for the conservation and management of marine
fishery resources. Much of this responsibility has been delegated
to the NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Under this
stewardship role, the Secretary was given certain regulatory
authorities to ensure the most beneficial uses of these resources.
One of the regulatory steps taken to care out the conservation and
management objectives is to collect information from users of the
resources. This collection requires limited access mackerel and
longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit holders to bring all
catch aboard the vessel and make it available for sampling by an
observer. If a catch is not made available to an observer before
discard, that catch is defined as slippage, and the vessel operator
must complete a “Released Catch Affidavit” form within 48 hours of
the end of the fishing trip which details why catch was slipped,
estimates the quantity and species composition of the slipped
catch, and records the time and location of the slipped catch. This
collection also requires any vessel with a limited access mackerel
permit intending to land over 20,000 lb of mackerel to contact NMFS
at least 48 hours in advance of a fishing trip to request an
observer. Vessels currently contact NMFS via phone, and selection
notices or waivers are issued by NMFS via VMS. If service providers
are unable to provide coverage, an owner, operator, or vessel
manager may request a waiver by calling the Northeast Fisheries
Observer Program. Additionally, if a fishing trip is cancelled,
vessels must notify NMFS of the cancelled trip to prevent observers
from being deployed to a cancelled trip.
US Code:
16 USC 1801 et seq Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.