NMFS Alaska Region Scale and Catch Weighing Requirements
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
09/11/2023
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
03/31/2024
46,035
46,037
4,190
4,198
684,422
694,088
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Alaska Region requests extension and revision of this currently approved information collection for scales and catch weighing requirements. This collection is revised due to a final rule (RIN 0648-BL69) to revise the monitoring requirements for pot gear catcher/processors participating in Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) groundfish fisheries. This rule is necessary to address management challenges created by observer data collection errors. Due to the rule, this collection is revised to add two voluntary monitoring options for BSAI pot catcher/processors. A vessel may choose to install an observer sampling station for use by an observer. A vessel may also choose to install a motion-compensated, NMFS-approved scale to measure total catch of Pacific cod, in conjunction with an MCP scale for testing, electronic logbook, and video monitoring. Separate from the rule changes, the name of the collection instrument Video Monitoring is changed to Video Monitoring Data Submission to clarify its use.
US Code:
16 USC 1801 et seq.
Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
The final rule (RIN 0648-BL69) adds regulatory requirements for voluntary monitoring options for BSAI pot catcher/processors. NMFS expects two catcher/processors will choose a voluntary monitoring option that is being added by the rule. Both vessels already have the equipment installed and comply with the requirements because of their participation in other fisheries. Therefore, these vessels were already included in the number of respondents and responses and the burden for this collection, and no change to the numbers were made because of this rule (no program changes).
$373,819
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Gabrielle Aberle 907 586-7356
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.