Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Greater Atlantic Region Dealer Purchase Reports
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to hear what people think about a rule that makes fish dealers tell them every week what fish they buy. But some people are confused about how they've done the math and worried there might be mistakes or missing details about how it helps take care of the fish in the ocean.
Summary AI
The Department of Commerce is requesting public comments on a proposal related to information collection from federally permitted fish dealers. This data is gathered to help manage fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The collection involves a mandatory weekly report detailing all fish transactions for commercial purposes. The public is invited to submit comments within 30 days on the website www.reginfo.gov.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
Overview
The document in question is a notice from the Department of Commerce, specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), inviting public comments on an information collection requirement. The focus is on federally permitted fish dealers who are mandated to report fish transactions weekly. This process falls under the framework of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, aiming to support the management of fisheries. Public comments are requested within 30 days following the notice's publication to facilitate comprehensive feedback, although exact deadlines are not explicitly stated.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise within this notice that warrant further consideration:
Calculation of Burden Hours: The document states that there are 28,673 total annual burden hours for 680 respondents, with each response taking an average of 4 minutes. This calculation seems disproportionate and potentially misleading. A clearer explanation or correction could improve understanding of the actual time and resources required from the respondents.
Mitigation of Reporting Burden: While the notice extends the comment period by 30 days, it does not discuss measures to reduce the reporting burden on fish dealers. Demonstrating a commitment to simplifying processes could foster better compliance and cooperation.
Contribution to Fisheries Management: The notice lacks details on how precisely the collected data contributes to effective fisheries management. A more explicit description of the tangible benefits could enhance public support and participation.
Deadline Ambiguity: There is no specific deadline provided for the conclusion of the additional 30-day comment period. This omission might cause confusion and limit effective participation.
Enforcement and Compliance: The document does not address penalties or consequences for non-compliance with the reporting obligation, potentially weakening the enforcement aspect and the perceived urgency of the notice.
Public Impact
For the general public, this document is an opportunity to voice concerns or provide feedback on information collection practices related to fisheries. The potential outcome of this exercise might lead to better-informed regulations that reflect the interests of those involved in the fishing industry and other stakeholders.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Fish Dealers: They are directly affected, given the mandatory nature of the weekly reports. Any changes resulting from public comments could either alleviate the reporting burden or clarify existing procedures, potentially leading to more streamlined processes.
Economists, Biologists, and Fisheries Managers: These groups stand to benefit from more accurate and comprehensive data, aiding in more effective fisheries management. Improved data quality may lead to better conservation strategies and sustainable fishing practices.
Regulatory Bodies: Effective implementation of feedback could result in regulations that are more attuned to the realities faced by fish dealers and, by extension, bolster compliance rates.
Conclusion
In summary, while the document offers a platform for public engagement, it raises several issues that require attention to ensure the efficacy of the information collection process. Addressing these concerns transparently can enhance stakeholder trust and participation, ultimately benefiting the management of the nation's fisheries.
Issues
• The document does not provide a clear explanation of why the total annual burden hours is 28,673 for only 680 respondents at 4 minutes per response, which seems disproportionate and could indicate an error in calculation or a lack of clarity on the frequency of submission.
• The document does not outline any specific measures being taken to mitigate the public's reporting burden, aside from extending the comment period for public feedback.
• There is no detailed breakdown of how the information collection contributes to the management of fisheries, leaving room for ambiguity regarding its impact.
• The notice does not specify a clear deadline for when the additional 30-day comment period ends, which could lead to misunderstandings regarding compliance timing.
• The document lacks a description of any penalties or consequences for failing to comply with the reporting requirements, leaving potential ambiguity regarding enforcement.