NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program

OMB Control No: 0648-0445	ICR Reference No: 200901-0648-005
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200607-0648-012
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program
Type of Information Collection: No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 01/27/2009
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 01/26/2009
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2009	11/30/2009	11/30/2009
Responses	10,638,853	0	10,656,132
Time Burden (Hours)	23,766	0	23,837
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,276,700	0	1,278,774

---

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. Final Rule RIN 0648-AX01, published October 3, 2008, removes the VMS requirement associated with one type of mobile bottom contact gear: dinglebar gear. This change did not: 1) remove dinglebar gear from the definition of mobile bottom contact gear; 2) exempt vessels using dinglebar gear for other fisheries from VMS requirements; nor 3) exempt vessels fishing for lingcod with other gear types from the VMS requirement. This change removed 12 respondents and associated burden from this information collection.

---

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	10,638,853	10,656,132	0	-17,279	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	23,766	23,837	0	-71	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,276,700	1,278,774	0	-2,074	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to: Changing Regulations

Short Statement: Responses and burden decreased due to a change in regulations that removed the VMS requirement for 12 vessels.

---

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: 01/26/2009

---