[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 16, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47545-47549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22325]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 0907281183-91184-01]
RIN 0648-AX98


Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish 
Fishery; Data Collection for the Trawl Rationalization Program

AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:  Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS proposes to collect data to support implementation of a 
future trawl rationalization program under the Pacific Coast Groundfish 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP). NMFS proposes to collect ownership 
information from all potential participants in the trawl 
rationalization program. In addition, NMFS is notifying potential 
participants that the agency intends to use the Pacific States Marine 
Fisheries Commission's Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) 
database and NMFS' Northwest Fisheries Science Center's Pacific whiting 
observer data from NORPAC (a database of North Pacific fisheries and 
Pacific whiting information) to determine initial allocation of quota 
share (QS) for the trawl rationalization program, if it is approved and 
implemented.

DATES:  Comments on this proposed rule must be received no later than 5 
p.m., local time on October 16, 2009.

ADDRESSES:  You may submit comments, identified by RIN 0648-AX98 by any 
one of the following methods:
    Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov.
    Fax: 206-526-6736, Attn: Jamie Goen.
    Mail: Barry Thom, Acting Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 
7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070, Attn: Jamie Goen.
    Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record 
and will generally be posted to http://www.regulations.gov without 
change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, 
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required 
fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic 
comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or 
Adobe PDF file formats only. Written comments regarding the burden-hour 
estimates or other aspects of the collection-of-information 
requirements contained in this proposed rule may be submitted to NMFS, 
Northwest Region and by e-mail to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c783a6b1aea39895a8b4b3aca2b587a8aaa5e9a2a8b7e9a0a8b1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d99db8afb0bd868bb6aaadb2bcab99b6b4bbf7bcb6a9f7beb6af">[email protected]</span></a> or fax to 
(202) 395-7285.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jamie Goen, phone: 206-526-4656, fax: 
206-526-6736, and e-mail <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a7cdc6cacec289c0c8c2c9e7c9c8c6c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa909b97939fd49d959f94ba94959b9bd49d958c">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    This proposed rule is accessible via the Internet at the Office of 
the Federal Register's Web site at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. Background information and documents are available at the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council's website at http://www.pcouncil.org/.

Background

    Since 2003, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has 
been developing a trawl rationalization program, which would affect the 
limited entry trawl fishery of the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. 
The trawl rationalization program is intended to increase net economic 
benefits, create individual economic stability, provide full 
utilization of the trawl sector allocation, consider environmental 
impacts, and achieve individual accountability of catch and bycatch.
    The Council has developed the trawl rationalization program through 
two amendments to the Groundfish FMP: (1) Amendment 20, the trawl

[[Page 47546]]

rationalization program; and (2) Amendment 21, intersector allocation. 
Amendment 20 would create the structure and management details of the 
trawl rationalization program, while Amendment 21 would allocate the 
groundfish stocks between trawl and non-trawl fisheries. The Council 
took final action on Amendment 20 at their November 2008 meeting, with 
trailing actions at its March 2009, April 2009, and June 2009 meetings. 
The Council took final action on Amendment 21 at its April 2009 
meeting. When the Council formally transmits those amendments to NMFS, 
the agency will publish a notice of availability (NOA) of an FMP 
amendment and a proposed rule in the Federal Register to announce a 
public comment period. Following the public comment period on the NOA 
and proposed rule, NMFS will announce its decision on whether or not to 
approve the amendments in a final rule published in the Federal 
Register. The FMP approval process and implementation, if appropriate, 
are expected to occur in 2010.
    The trawl rationalization program would be a limited access 
privilege program (LAPP) under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (MSA), 16 U.S.C.1851-1891d, as 
reauthorized in 2007. A LAPP is considered a grant of permission to the 
holder of the limited access privilege or QS to participate in the 
program and may be revoked, limited, or modified at any time. In other 
words, it is a conditional privilege, conveyed through QS or catch 
shares, to harvest a specified amount of fish. The MSA requires the 
Council or the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that limited access 
privilege holders do not acquire an excessive share of the total 
limited access privileges in the program and to establish a maximum 
share, expressed as a percentage that each limited access privilege 
holder may hold, acquire, or use. For the trawl rationalization 
program, the Council has adopted limits on the amount of pounds a 
vessel can hold, acquire, or use (i.e., vessel limits) and limits on 
the amount of QS that can be held, acquired, or used (i.e., control 
limits).

Trawl Rationalization Program Structure

    The trawl rationalization program would consist of: (1) An 
individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the shore-based trawl fleet; 
and (2) cooperative (co-op) programs for the at-sea trawl fleet. Under 
trawl rationalization, the shore-based trawl fleet would consist of IFQ 
participants who land groundfish to shore-based processors or first 
receivers. The at-sea trawl fleet would consist of fishery participants 
harvesting whiting with midwater trawl gear (i.e., whiting catcher/
processor vessels, whiting motherships, and whiting catcher vessels 
associated with motherships). The co-op programs for the at-sea trawl 
fleet would be further divided as follows: (1) The whiting catcher/
processor co-op; and (2) the whiting mothership co-ops. The mothership 
co-ops may consist of a single co-op or multiple co-ops where vessels 
pool their harvest together, or it may consist of vessels not 
associated with a particular mothership (i.e., ``non-co-op'' segment of 
the mothership fishery).
     The IFQ program for the shore-based fleet would require an initial 
allocation of harvest QS to individual participants based on historic 
participation in the fishery, specifically to limited entry trawl 
permit owners and shore-based whiting processors who meet the 
eligibility requirements. In order to comply with the MSA, NMFS would 
be required to determine and track ownership interest in QS to 
determine if individuals are within set limits, both at the initial 
allocation stage and during the operation of the program. In Amendment 
20, the Council has adopted limits (by species group and area) on the 
amount of QS an individual can control (control limits).
    The Council has adopted different program structures for the 
whiting catcher/processor co-ops and whiting mothership co-ops, based 
on how these co-ops have operated in the past. The structure of the co-
ops will be described in more detail in the proposed rule to implement 
Amendment 20, which is expected in 2010. The catcher/processor co-op 
would not require an initial allocation of QS to individual vessels, 
provided a co-op is established.
    QS for the at-sea mothership fleet (called ``catch history 
assignments'' in Council documents) would initially be allocated to the 
individual whiting catcher vessels associated with the mothership 
fishery, and would be non-transferable amounts associated with the 
vessel. The QS allocated to individual vessels would reflect that 
individual vessel's contribution to the total amount of fish its 
mothership co-op can harvest. However, an individual vessel in the co-
op could harvest more than its at-sea quota, within the restrictions on 
individual vessel harvest and mothership co-op limits. Similar to the 
shore-based IFQ program, NMFS would be required to track ownership 
interest in QSs to determine if individuals are within set limits. In 
addition, ownership interest in the co-op programs (both the catcher/
processor and mothership) and IFQ program would be tracked at the 
individual level to monitor crossover of participants and ownership 
interest among the programs.

Collection of Ownership Information

    Pursuant to section 402(a)(2) of the MSA, if the Secretary of 
Commerce determines that additional information is necessary for 
developing or implementing an FMP, the Secretary may, by regulation, 
implement an information collection program requiring submission of 
additional information for the fishery. In this proposed rule, 
ownership information would be collected from the potential 
participants in the trawl rationalization program, including the at-sea 
fleet (whiting motherships, whiting mothership catcher vessels, and 
whiting catcher/processors), the shore-based fleet (whiting and non-
whiting permit owners and holders) and the shore-based whiting 
processors. Ownership information would be collected to support and 
facilitate the timely implementation of the potential future trawl 
rationalization program under the Groundfish FMP.
    Similar to current NMFS requirements to collect ownership 
information from the limited entry fixed gear sablefish fleet, the 
primary purpose of collecting ownership interest information from the 
trawl fleet is to allow NMFS to monitor control of the groundfish 
resource in the trawl fishery to ensure participants remain within the 
accumulation limits, or control limits on QS, recommended by the 
Council in Amendment 20 to the FMP. Initially, NMFS would use the 
ownership information collected under this rule as the first step in 
the application process to determine which potential QS holders might 
be over their accumulation limits as individuals or as members of a 
business entity. By collecting ownership information from potential 
participants in advance of the FMP amendment approval process, NMFS 
would expedite the QS initial issuance process, which is expected to 
take place in the fall of 2010. After ownership interest forms from 
this rulemaking are completed early in 2010, NMFS intends to provide 
pre-filled ownership interest forms with the initial issuance 
application package in the fall of 2010, thereby reducing the burden on 
potential participants and shortening the application process. If the 
collection of the ownership information requested as part of this 
rulemaking is not completed at the time NMFS provides these forms, NMFS 
may delay implementation of the trawl

[[Page 47547]]

rationalization program or the issuance of an eligible participant's QS 
due to the additional time needed to gather the ownership information 
and determine if an eligible participant is within the accumulation 
limits.
    In addition, the ownership information collected would create a 
baseline of ownership information to evaluate the trawl rationalization 
program during periodic reviews of the program, as required by the MSA. 
It would allow NMFS to better understand the relationship between 
processors, permit owners, and the entities owning the vessel 
registered to the permit (i.e., permit holders). In other words, it 
would allow NMFS to better understand who will control QS and which 
individuals will potentially use quota pounds (QP). Moreover, the 
ownership information would allow NMFS to better understand potential 
vessel accounts for QP and to better understand the ownership of 
vessels that crossover between different sectors in the trawl fishery. 
For example, it would allow NMFS to better understand the ownership of 
vessels that participate in both the whiting shore-based and the 
mothership fisheries.
    NMFS would send a Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form 
to potential participants in the trawl rationalization program 
requiring the following information to be filled out: Type of entity; 
qualifying permit number; name of company or name of individuals owning 
the limited entry permit, vessel or processing plant; tax 
identification number (TIN) for each entity; date of birth (DOB) for 
each individual; state in which each business entity is registered; 
business mailing address; physical address for processing plants; 
business phone number, fax number and email; authorized 
representative's name; name of each individual having ownership 
interest in the limited entry permit, vessel or processing plant; the 
individual's business addresses; percentage of ownership by each entity 
(if there are multiple entities given as an owner of the permit, 
vessel, or processing plant) and each individual shareholder in each 
entity; printed name of authorized representative, their signature, and 
the date. The percentage of ownership of all shareholders must equal 
100 percent. The form would also allow owners to certify whether or not 
they are a small business according to Small Business Administration 
(SBA) and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) standards.
    For permits, the legal owner of the permit or authorized 
representative would be required to complete the form and provide all 
necessary information on the individual or entity owning each 
groundfish limited entry trawl permit. For vessels, the vessel owner 
would be required to complete the form and provide all necessary 
information on the individual or entity owning each vessel that is 
registered to a groundfish limited entry trawl permit (i.e., permit 
holder). For shore-based whiting processors or first receivers, the 
legal owner or authorized representative would be required to complete 
the form and provide all necessary information on the individual or 
entity owning each shore-based whiting processing or first receiver 
company. The individual signing the form would certify under penalty of 
perjury that the information provided is true and correct and the form 
would be required to be notarized by a notary public.
    The form would be required even if the owner of the permit or 
potential participant in the trawl rationalization program is a person 
and not an entity. This form does NOT prequalify these persons for QS 
nor guarantee that they will qualify for QS under the future trawl 
rationalization program.
    In addition to filling out the mandatory ownership interest form, 
potential trawl rationalization program participants may be required to 
submit additional documentation to NMFS. If the ownership interest in 
the permit, vessel, or potential QS includes a business entity, then 
additional documentation will be required. If there is an authorized 
representative for a business entity, then a corporate resolution would 
be required authorizing the person signing to do so on behalf of the 
entity. Business entities established under the laws of the United 
States or of any State would be required to provide proof of the 
establishment of their business and to verify that they are an active 
corporation. If an entity was not established under the laws of the 
United States or of any other State, this rule would not require the 
entity to become so established. However, an entity must be established 
under the laws of the United States or of any State in order to qualify 
for an initial allocation of QS, pursuant to section 303A(c)(1)(D) of 
the MSA. Providing the information at this stage will expedite the 
initial issuance process.
    Additional documentation that NMFS may request after review of the 
completed Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form includes 
articles of incorporation, a contract, or any other credible 
documentation that substantiates those with ownership interests in the 
entity and their percent ownership. NMFS may require a certified copy 
of the current vessel document (United States Coast Guard or state) as 
evidence of vessel ownership. NMFS may also request or consider any 
other relevant, credible evidence.
    NMFS would send out the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest 
Form with instructions to the current address in NMFS records for 
potential participants in the trawl rationalization program. Completion 
of this form would be required only once in preparation for 
implementation of the trawl rationalization program. This form would be 
sent to the at-sea fleet (whiting motherships, whiting mothership 
catcher vessels, and whiting catcher/processors), the shore-based fleet 
(whiting and non-whiting permit owners and holders) and the shore-based 
whiting processors. Potential participants would have at least 60 days 
from the effective date of the Federal Register final rule for this 
action to return the completed form. The completed form must be 
returned to NMFS no later than May 1, 2010. In the future and if the 
trawl program is implemented under Amendment 20, the ownership interest 
form would likely be required during the permit or QS renewal process 
and during any permit or QS transfers.

Databases to be Used for Initial Allocation of Quota Share

    Potential participants of the trawl rationalization program should 
be aware that the agency intends to use landings data from the Pacific 
States Marine Fisheries Commission's PacFIN database and NMFS' 
Northwest Fisheries Science Center's Pacific whiting observer data from 
NORPAC to determine initial allocations of QS for the trawl 
rationalization program. Landings data from state fish tickets, as 
provided by the states to the PacFIN database, would be used to 
determine initial allocation of IFQ QS for the shore-based whiting and 
nonwhiting harvesters and for the shore-based whiting processors. 
Landings data from the NORPAC database would be used to determine 
initial allocation of at-sea QS for the whiting mothership catcher 
vessels.
    NMFS intends to ``freeze'' the databases for the purposes of 
initial allocation on the date the proposed rule proposing to implement 
Amendment 20 to the FMP is published in the Federal Register. This 
should allow time for NMFS to compile the dataset and cross check the 
data for any errors. ``Freezing'' the databases means that NMFS will 
extract a snapshot of the databases as of the proposed rule publication 
date and will use those for initial allocation of

[[Page 47548]]

QS. ``Freezing'' the databases is necessary to hold them constant for 
use during qualification and initial issuance of the trawl 
rationalization program and to form an administrative record of the 
database at a given point in time. Following the ``freezing'' of the 
databases, any corrections to the ``frozen'' database would be made 
with NMFS through the processes set forth in future trawl 
rationalization rules. After NMFS extracts a copy of the databases, the 
PacFIN and NORPAC databases will continue to exist and be updated 
through their normal processes, but such updates may not be used for 
initial allocations of QS.
    If potential participants in the trawl rationalization program have 
concerns over the accuracy of their data in the PacFIN database, they 
should contact the state in which they landed those fish to correct any 
errors. Any revisions to an entity's fish tickets would have to be 
approved by the state in order to be accepted. State contacts are as 
follows: (1) Washington - Carol Turcotte (360-902-2253, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f0b391829f9cdea48582939f848495b0949687de8791de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="17547665787b3943626574786363725773716039607639707861">[email protected]</span></a>); (2) Oregon - Michelle Grooms (503-947-6247, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d00242e25282121286301630a3f2222203e0d3e392c392863223f63383e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ca87a3a9a2afa6a6afe486e48db8a5a5a7b98ab9beabbeafe4a5b8e4bfb9">[email protected]</span></a>); and (3) California - Gerry Kobylinski 
(916-323-1456, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f6b19d99948f9a9f98b6929091d89597d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="84c3efebe6fde8edeac4e0e2e3aae7e5aae3ebf2">[email protected]</span></a>). For concerns over the accuracy of 
NORPAC data, contact Janell Majewski (206-860-3293, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c2a8a3aca7aeaeecafa3a8a7b5b1a9ab82acada3a3eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cca6ada2a9a0a0e2a1ada6a9bbbfa7a58ca2a3adade2aba3ba">[email protected]</span></a>). NMFS urges potential QS owners to go 
directly to the source where fisheries data is entered in the database 
to get it corrected before NMFS extracts the data for initial issuance 
of QS.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 402(a)(2) of the MSA, the NMFS Assistant 
Administrator, acting on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, has 
determined that information collected under this proposed rule is 
necessary for developing and implementing the trawl rationalization 
program. The NMFS Assistant Administrator has also determined that this 
proposed rule is consistent with other applicable law, subject to 
further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    An initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) was prepared, as 
required by section 603 of the RFA. The IRFA describes the economic 
impact this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. A 
description of the action, why it is being considered, and the legal 
basis for this action are contained at the beginning of this section in 
the preamble and in the SUMMARY section of the preamble. A copy of the 
IRFA is available from the NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the 
analysis follows:
    The proposed rule would allow NMFS to collect data to support 
implementation of a future trawl rationalization program, Amendment 20, 
to the Groundfish FMP. A separate Regulatory Impact Review/IRFA will be 
prepared for the full trawl rationalization program as part of the 
rulemaking for Amendment 20. This proposed rule would also announce 
that NMFS intends to use landings data from the PacFIN and NORPAC 
databases to determine initial allocations of QS for the trawl 
rationalization program. Section 402(a)(2) of the MSA gives the legal 
authority for the action. If the Secretary determines that additional 
information is necessary for developing or implementing an FMP, the 
Secretary may, by regulation, implement an information collection 
requiring submission of such additional information for the fishery.
    The Council has recommended accumulation limits to comply with the 
MSA requirement to ensure that participants do not acquire an excessive 
share of the total limited access privileges in the trawl 
rationalization program. Initially, NMFS would use the ownership 
information collected as the first step in the application process to 
determine which potential QS holders might be over their accumulation 
limits as individuals or as members of a business entity. By collecting 
ownership information from potential participants in advance of the FMP 
amendment approval process, NMFS would expedite the initial issuance of 
QS, which is expected to take place in the fall of 2010. Also, NMFS 
could use the completed forms to troubleshoot any unforeseen data 
collection issues and to provide pre-filled ownership interest forms 
with the initial issuance package in the fall of 2010. Pre-filled forms 
would reduce the burden on potential participants and shorten the 
initial issuance and appeals process.
    The IRFA considers three alternatives: (1) No action; (2) a blank 
form to collect ownership interest information; and (3) a partially 
pre-filled form to collect ownership information. The no action 
alternative would delay collecting any ownership interest information 
until the initial issuance and appeals process for the trawl 
rationalization program, which is expected to take place in the fall of 
2010. Under the second alternative, NMFS would mail a blank Trawl 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form to potential participants in 
the trawl rationalization program. Under the third and selected 
alternative, NMFS would mail out a partially pre-filled Trawl 
Identification of Ownership Interest Form to potential participants in 
the trawl rationalization program. NMFS would use its Permit Office's 
database to pre-fill the permit and/or vessel owner's name of record 
and address. NMFS would also use this information to begin to fill out 
the names of participants with ownership interest.
    Compared to the no action alternative, both alternatives would 
facilitate a timelier implementation of the trawl rationalization 
program. Additionally, the preferred alternative, partially pre-filled 
forms, would further expedite the trawl rationalization program 
implementation process and would be the most helpful to the person 
completing the form. This should aid the person completing the form by 
providing details on what information is needed and how NMFS database 
currently views the permit and/or vessel owner or owner of the whiting 
processor. While timely implementation of the trawl rationalization 
program benefits its participants, NMFS must also be aware that doing 
so is not too burdensome and costly to the potential trawl 
rationalization program participants. This proposed rule would 
establish a onetime mailing requesting ownership information. Filling 
out a Trawl Ownership Interest Form is expected to take approximately 
30 minutes per response and cost approximately $19.15 per response 
(which includes the respondent's time ($8.51), mailing, photocopying, 
and notary fee). There is no fee for this form. There is an incentive 
to respond because this is the initial step by any business to gain 
ownership rights in the fishery that can, at a future time, be 
harvested, sold, leased, or combined with other businesses in fishing 
operations. The financial benefits of participating in the trawl 
rationalization program should far outweigh the minimal cost of time 
and effort to fill out a form. (Very preliminary Pacific Council 
estimates indicate that for the harvesting vessels, after taking into 
account the costs of having observer coverage, over time the fishery 
may increase annual profits (revenue minus costs) by $10 to $20 
million.)
    This proposed rule would collect ownership information from 
approximately 250 potential participants who may receive initial 
allocation of QS, including the at-sea fleet (whiting motherships, 
whiting mothership catcher vessels, and whiting catcher/processors), 
the shore-based fleet (whiting and non-whiting permit

[[Page 47549]]

owners and holders) and the shore-based whiting processors. Using SBA 
standards, most of the estimated 250 entities are considered small 
businesses, except for some catcher vessels that also fish off Alaska, 
some shoreside processors and all catcher-processors and motherships 
(fewer than 30) that are affiliated with larger processing companies or 
large international seafood companies. One of the purposes of this data 
collection is to have these entities certify that they are ``small'' or 
``large'' entities based on SBA size and affiliation criteria.
    This information collection would be requested of all potential 
participants in the trawl rationalization program, regardless of size, 
and would not have a disproportionate effect on small versus large 
entities. Nor would this information collection have any effect on 
profitability for small entities.
    These changes will not duplicate, overlap or conflict with other 
laws or regulations. This proposed action is not expected to meet any 
of the RFA tests of having a ``significant'' economic impact on a 
``substantial number'' of small entities. Nonetheless, NMFS has 
prepared an IRFA for this action. NMFS is requesting comments on this 
conclusion.
    This proposed rule contains a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA). This requirement has been submitted to OMB for approval. The 
public reporting burden for the Trawl Identification of Ownership 
Interest Form is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, 
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data 
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 
reviewing the collection information. This form is estimated to cost 
approximately $19.15 per response (which includes the respondent's time 
($8.51), mailing, photocopying, and notary fee). There is no fee for 
this form.
    Public comment is sought regarding: Whether this proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments on 
these or any other aspects of the collection of information to NMFS, 
Northwest Region (see ADDRESSES section), and by e-mail to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c286a3b4aba69d90adb1b6a9a7b082adafa0eca7adb2eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1155706778754e437e62657a7463517e7c733f747e613f767e67">[email protected]</span></a> or fax to (202) 395-7285.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, and no person shall be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fishing, Fisheries, and Indian Fisheries.

    Dated: September 11, 2009.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR Part 660 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES

    1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    2. A new Sec.  660.337 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  660.337  Trawl rationalization program - data collection 
requirements.

    (a) Ownership reporting requirements - (1) In 2010, NMFS will send 
a Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest Form to the current 
address on record requesting information from participants in the trawl 
fishery. Receipt of this form does NOT prequalify these persons for 
quota share nor does it guarantee that they will qualify for quota 
share under a future trawl rationalization program. The following 
participants in the trawl fishery must complete and return the form to 
NMFS:
    (i) Owners of each limited entry permit endorsed for trawl gear;
    (ii) Owners of each vessel registered to a limited entry permit 
endorsed for trawl gear (i.e., permit holder) if not identical to the 
permit owner covered by paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section;
    (iii) Owners of each vessel registered to a Pacific whiting vessel 
license that are not covered by paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) above; 
and
     (iv) First receivers issued current Pacific whiting first receiver 
exempted fishing permits.
    (2) Supporting documentation.
    (i) Business entities completing the Trawl Identification of 
Ownership Interest Form are required to submit the following:
    (A) A corporate resolution or any other credible documentation as 
proof of the authorized representative selected to act on behalf of the 
entity; and
    (B) Proof that the business entity was established and is currently 
recognized as active under the laws of the United States or any State, 
if indeed they were.
    (ii) After review of the Trawl Identification of Ownership Interest 
Form, NMFS may require the following additional documentation:
    (A) Articles of incorporation, a notarized contract, or any other 
credible documentation that identifies each person who owns an interest 
in the entity and their percentage of ownership;
    (B) A certified copy of the current vessel document (United States 
Coast Guard or state) as evidence of vessel ownership; or
    (C) Such other relevant, credible evidence as the applicant may 
submit, or as the SFD or the Regional Administrator request or acquire.
    (3) Deadline. Persons listed in paragraph (a)(1) will be provided 
at least 60 calendar days to submit completed forms. All forms must be 
completed and returned to NMFS with a postmark no later than the 
deadline date of May 1, 2010.
    (b) [Reserved]

[FR Doc. E9-22325 Filed 9-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


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