OMB requests that the agency clarify whether responses are mandatory or voluntary on the forms themselves or on their individual instructions, per 5 CFR 1320.8(c)(1)(i), prior to the next revision or extension request for this collection.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2023
36 Months From Approved
11/30/2021
175,025
0
164,564
20,260
0
18,285
2,274
0
1,634
This information collection consists of a mandatory dealer reporting program for domestic landings and international trade of highly migratory species. Catch and trade monitoring is required under the provisions of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, Tunas Convention Act, and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Information collected through this program is essential for the United States to meet its reporting obligations to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, and its management obligations under the MSA. Beginning in 2021, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is implementing an electronic reporting system whereby dealers may meet the requirement for biweekly bluefin tuna landings and trade reporting, thus necessitating the need for this revision.
NMFS has modernized its dealer reporting system for Atlantic bluefin tuna landings by replacing the facsimile (FAX)-based optical character recognition system with an online reporting application. The new online electronic system collects the same data fields, at the same interval, as those that were previously collected via FAX. Instead of hand-writing out a landing form and faxing it into an automated system, dealers now log into the Standard Atlantic Fisheries Information System (SAFIS) (https://safis.accsp.org:8443/safis_prod/f?p=SAFIS:101::::::) and key in the required data electronically over the internet (associated with a final rule, RIN 0648-BG16).
Per Final Rule 0648-BF17, bluefin tuna catch documents (BCDs) will now be submitted electronically, at the same estimated burden as the
paper documents. Users will be pre-registered in the new system. Paper forms will still be allowed if needed.
US Code:
16 USC 971
Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Conservation Act
There has been an increase in the number of respondents, resulting in additional responses, burden time and cost. Some costs have been reduced due to a switch to electronic reporting.
$1,225,226
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
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.
Application for authorization for non-government validation