NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program

OMB Control No: 0648-0445	ICR Reference No: 200607-0648-012
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200507-0648-008
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 11/07/2006
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 08/10/2006
Terms of Clearance: Burden information has been revised based on the supporting statement description.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2009	36 Months From Approved	11/30/2006
Responses	10,656,132	0	10,656,269
Time Burden (Hours)	23,837	0	23,882
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,278,774	0	1,145,000

---

Abstract: NMFS Alaska Region requires use of the VMS when fishing under certain conditions in the following fisheries: Atka Mackerel, Pollock, Pacific Cod, BSAI Crab, essential fish habitat (EFH) and habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) in the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. The VMS transmitter automatically determines the vessel’s position several times per hour using a Global Positioning System satellite. A communications service provider receives the transmission and relays it to NOAA Fisheries Office for Enforcement. The VMS transmitters are designed to be tamper-resistant and automatic. In most cases, the vessel owner is unaware of exactly when the unit is transmitting and is unable to alter the signal or the time of transmission. The VMS unit is passive and automatic, requiring no reporting effort of the vessel operator.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	71 FR 25149	04/28/2006
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	71 FR 44611	08/07/2006
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title Form No. Form Name NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program NA VMS check-in report VMS Malfunction Notification

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	10,656,132	10,656,269	0	100	-237	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	23,837	23,882	0	3	-48	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,278,774	1,145,000	0	50	133,724	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: One-time VMS check-in report responses decreased by 236 (from 269 to 33), with an associated decrease of 47 hours. VMS malfunction notification was added, increasing responses by 100 and adding 3 hours. There was a net decrease of 136 responses and 44 hours. There was a net increase to respondents’ total miscellaneous costs of $128,368, due to adding the cost of repairing the VMS unit to VMS operation ($129,780), adding $50 for the VMS malfunction notification; and the decrease in check-in reports (- $1,412).

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $87,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Patsy Bearden 907 586-7008

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(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;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
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.
Certification Date: 08/10/2006

---