This request is for a revision and extension of the current information collection pursuant to proposed rule (RIN 0648-BO02). This change will revise the information collected under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Cost Recovery Program to include new information collected under the Primary Sablefish Fishery Cost Recovery Program currently being implemented and by changing the title from "Northwest Region, Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery: Trawl Rationalization Cost Recovery Program" to "West Coast Region, Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery: Cost Recovery" to better align the title with the fisheries subject to the information collection. One additional form will be added to the existing information collection to allow vessels in this sablefish primary fishery to make cost recovery payments.
This rule includes management measures that would apply to vessels registered to limited entry fixed gear (LEFG) endorsed permits and LEFG permit owners in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. Specifically, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to: 1) add flexibility to the LEFG permitsâ gear endorsements; 2) remove the base permit designation of LEFG permits; 3) remove the start and end times (i.e., hours of the day) for the open dates of the primary sablefish season; and 4) develop a cost recovery program for the LEFG primary sablefish fishery. The purpose of this rule is to provide increased flexibility to LEFG participants while reducing administrative burdens, and to develop a cost recovery program to meet the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) .
Beginning in January 2011, NMFS implemented a trawl rationalization program, a type of a catch share program or limited access privilege program, for the Pacific coast groundfish fisheryâs trawl fleet. The Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program (Trawl Program) was adopted through Amendment 20 to the Pacific coast groundfish fishery management plan (FMP). It consists of a Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program (including whiting and non-whiting fisheries); and cooperative (Co-op) programs for the at-sea Mothership (MS) Co-op Program and Catcher/Processor (C/P) Co-op Program trawl fleets (whiting only).
Beginning in January 2001, the NMFS implemented a sablefish rationalization program, a type of a catch share program or limited access privilege program, for the Pacific coast sablefish fishery fleet. The limited entry sablefish tier stacking program (Tier Program) was adopted through Amendment 14 to the Pacific coast groundfish fishery management plan (FMP).
As a type of limited access privilege program (LAPP), the MSA requires the agency to recover part of the costs of management, data collection, and enforcement for the Trawl and Sablefish Programs, up to three percent of the ex-vessel value [16 U.S.C. 1853a MSA §303A and §304(d)(2)]. This is called a cost recovery program. The cost recovery program for the Trawl Program (Cost Recovery Program) covers all three sectors in the Trawl Program: the Shorebased IFQ Program, the MS Co-op Program, and the C/P Co-op Program. Additionally, the non-trawl Sablefish Primary Fishery Cost Recovery Program (Sablefish Cost Recovery Program) covers vessels fishing in the sablefish primary sablefish fishery.
In the Pacific coast groundfish fishery regulations, the Trawl Cost Recovery Program is codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 660.115 . NMFS is developing a Sablefish Cost Recovery Program which will be codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 660.231.
US Code:
16 USC 1801 et seq
Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
This rule would add a new collection for the Sablefish cost recovery fee collection reports.
$8,479
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Christopher Biegle 206 526-4656
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.
Pacific Coast Groundfish Sablefish Program Cost Recovery Form
0648-0663 Supporting Statement Part A.docx
NOAA0900 PIA_SAOP_Approved.pdf
Sablefish Cost Recovery Fee Collection Reports