This is a request for a new information collection to modify the requirements for midwater trawl vessels that are issued an All Areas or Areas 2 and 3 limited access Atlantic herring permit and fishing in Closed Area I. The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) voted at the April 8, 2009, Council meeting, to request that the Regional Administrator modify the Herring Midwater Trawl Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Letter of Authorization (LOA) to increase observer coverage of midwater trawl vessels fishing in Closed Area I to 100 percent; be prohibited from slipping codends (the practice of opening the codend of the net and releasing the catch before all of it is brought on board); and be required to pump aboard the vessel all fish caught, to allow sampling by the observer.
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 303
Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Actg
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.
MGOM ss new 091009rev.pdf
CAI affidavit