West Coast Region Gear Identification Requirements

OMB Control No: 0648-0352	ICR Reference No: 202412-0648-001
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 202406-0648-010
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: West Coast Region Gear Identification Requirements
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule and continue	Conclusion Date: 03/06/2026
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 02/09/2026
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is filing comment and withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the proposed rulemaking and include in the supporting statement of the next ICR--to be submitted to OMB at the final rule stage--a description of how the agency has responded to any public comments on the ICR, including comments on maximizing the practical utility of the collection and minimizing the burden.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2027	36 Months From Approved	11/30/2027
Responses	3,387	0	3,387
Time Burden (Hours)	847	0	847
Cost Burden (Dollars)	847	0	847

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Abstract: This request is for revision and extension of the current collection for the West Coast Gear Identification Requirements pursuant to upcoming rule 0648-BN00. This proposed rule would implement gear marking requirements and entanglement risk reduction measures for portions of the Pacific coast groundfish fishery. This rulemaking will consist of mandatory requirements and voluntary measures. These new requirements and voluntary measures will be established pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The intent of the gear marking requirements is to increase the likelihood of attributing entanglements to a specific fishery and gear type. The intent of the risk reduction measures is to reduce bycatch by decreasing the likelihood of marine animal entanglements with fishing line. NMFS is proposing this rulemaking, in part, in response to increased rates of entanglement of humpback whales with Pacific coast fishing gear since 2014. The gear marking component of this rulemaking is one facet of a broader, coordinated effort to mark gear in multiple fisheries that occur off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. NMFS requests public comment on these proposed requirements and voluntary measures.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 94 - 265 304 (b)(1)(A) Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as amended in 2006

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
0648-BN00	Proposed rulemaking	91 FR 5408	02/06/2026

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

IC Title Form No. Form Name Gear Marking: Bottom Longline/Pot Gears Vessel ID: Bottom Longline and/or Pot Gears Vessel ID: All Groundfish Non-Trawl Respondents

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Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Pursuant to rule 0648-BN00, a new requirement was established for gear marking. Updated fishery information indicates the number of vessels fishing bottom longline and pot gears is lower than previously estimated so the number of respondents is reduced. Annual responses per respondent has been averaged across sectors/gears, and new responses have been added. Labor burden for vessel ID maintenance was previously underestimated, because vessel ID needs to be marked more than once every 5 years to remain legible. ICs were split in ROCIS to provide sufficient granularity in aspects of tables displayed in supporting statement A.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

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.     No

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.     No

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? No

Agency Contact: Christopher Biegle 206 526-4656

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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: 02/09/2026

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