NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program

OMB Control No: 0648-0445	ICR Reference No: 201710-0648-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201611-0648-005
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 without change	Conclusion Date: 12/29/2017
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 10/06/2017
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2020	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2017
Responses	1,529	0	83
Time Burden (Hours)	5,101	0	130
Cost Burden (Dollars)	2,398,768	0	67,793

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Abstract: A 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. This action would add VMS requirements for vessels operating in a GOA IFQ regulatory area and using longline pot gear to fish IFQ sablefish and IFQ halibut. A vessel’s VMS transmitter must be transmitting when the vessel leaves port in the GOA IFQ sablefish longline pot fishery. The vessel operator must receive a VMS confirmation number before fishing for sablefish in the GOA IFQ regulatory areas with longline pot gear.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 773-773k Name of Law: Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982    PL: Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 26062	06/06/2017
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 46770	10/06/2017
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 4

IC Title Form No. Form Name Optional Area 4 halibut check in VMS maintenance, plus costs for installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and communication VMS check-in report NA VMS check-in report GOA Sablefish Longline Pot Gear Call in

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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	1,529	83	0	0	1,446	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	5,101	130	0	0	4,971	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	2,398,768	67,793	0	0	2,330,975	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: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Program adjustments are due to the difference between previous and current respondents and responses. This extension adjusts upward the number of respondents by 261*, using the most recently available permit data (2017) and has adjusted upward the cost estimates for inflation. Costs in this submission reflect that the allocated reimbursement for VMS purchase has already been used for this period. NMFS has also responded to public comment in adjusting burden hours upward as well as adding burden hours and technician costs for VMS unit failure troubleshooting that was identified in public comments and not previously tabulated. Also, a major cost correction: previously, technician costs for installation and maintenance were not included. * The previous ICR (1/17) had 63 unduplicated respondents. The sponsor for that ICR has since retired so we cannot trace what happened. The apparent degree of change related to this discrepancy is greater than in reality.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $76,960

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

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Scott Miller 907 586-7416

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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: 10/06/2017

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