PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: Collection of information through annual permitting serves three purposes: (1) it provides current information on the vessel owners participating in the Atlantic tuna fisheries; (2) it provides an up-to-date sampling frame that is the basis for fleet size calculations used for catch and effort estimates in fisheries that do not require mandatory reporting, thus enabling the U.S. to meet international obligations to report catch statistics for Atlantic tunas; and (3) aids NOAA Fisheries Service in the enforcement of fishery regulations. Public reporting burden for this initial permit application of information is estimated to average 34 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completed & reviewing the collection of information. Permit renewals are accomplished by accessing the web site at www.nmfspermits.com. Public reporting burden for renewal by telephone or web is estimated to average 10 minutes per response. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: National Marine Fisheries Service, F/SF1, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Providing the requested information in the permit application is mandatory for managing the Atlantic tuna fisheries in accordance with the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). It is agency policy not to release confidential information, other than in aggregate form, as the Magnuson-Stevens Act protects (in perpetuity) the confidentiality of those submitting information. Summaries of permit information by category may be released. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. This is an approved information collection under OMB #0648-0327 and expires 12-31-2027.

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: The collection of this information is authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq. and the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950. The authority for the mandatory collection of the Tax Identification Number (TIN) is 31 U.S.C. 7701.

Purpose: In order to manage U.S. fisheries, the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requires the use of permits or registrations by participants in the United States. Information on NMFS permit applicants and renewing holders includes vessel owner contact information, date of birth, TIN, and vessel descriptive information. Permit holder information may be used as sampling frames for surveys, and as part of NMFS analysis to support NMFS decisions.

Routine Uses: The Department will use this information to determine permit eligibility and to identify fishery participants. Disclosure of this information is permitted under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. Section 552a), to be shared within NMFS offices, in order to coordinate monitoring and management of sustainability of fisheries and protected resources, as well as with the applicable State or Regional Marine Fisheries Commissions and International Organizations. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all of the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations for the United States Federally Regulated Fisheries.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary; however, failure to provide complete and accurate information will prevent the determination of eligibility for a permit.