Vessels fishing for Atlantic tuna and swordfish that use pelagic longline gear and vessels fishing for sharks with bottom longline or gillnet gear are required to have a qualified marine electrician install an Enhanced Mobile Transmitting Unit Vessel Monitoring System unit (E-MTU VMS). Automatic position reports are submitted on an hourly basis for the duration of the required fishing year or season unless the vessel operator has a documented power down exemption. Vessel operators must declare target species and fishing gear onboard prior to leaving port and report to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement at least three hours, but no more than twelve, in advance of their returning to port. A qualified marine electrician must install and then submit an installation checklist to NMFS, which provides information on the hardware and communications service selected by each vessel when the VMS unit is initially installed. NMFS will use the returned checklists to ensure that position reports are received and to aid NMFS in troubleshooting problems.
US Code:
16 USC 971
Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975
Adjustment(s): The number of affected vessels has changed from 329 to 308. The capital costs for the original 329 are cleared. The estimated time to issue a declaration was changed from 5 minutes/declaration to 2 minutes/declaration to more accurately reflect the associated burden.
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Program changes (no change to burden or cost at this time):
1. Establishment of a declaration out of the fishery option that could substantially reduce vessel reporting burden (reduction not counted at this time).
2. Changing a requirement to hail-out at least two hours before leaving port (can now be immediately before leaving port).
3. Changing hail-in requirement to no more than 12 hours before returning to port.
$0
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Margo Schulz-Haugen 301 713-0234
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:
(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.
Vessel Monitoring System for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species - Installation, installation and activation checklist