FR 2024-28460

The document from the Federal Register, released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce, seeks public input on the information collection requirements related to the Aleutian Islands pollock fishery. This solicitation for comments is part of a routine process guided by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of current information collection practices and reduce unnecessary reporting burdens on the public.

Summary of the Document

The NOAA is inviting comments on their collection of information from harvesters and processors participating in the Aleutian Islands pollock fishery, managed by The Aleut Corporation. According to federal regulations, The Aleut Corporation is responsible for selecting and approving the vessels and processors that participate in the fishery. This process is in place due to legislative mandates aiming to support economic development in Adak, Alaska. The document emphasizes the importance of these reports, as they assist in managing fishery allocations and preventing overharvest.

Significant Issues or Concerns

Several concerns arise from this notice:

1. Exclusive Participation: The document specifies that The Aleut Corporation has exclusive rights to the Aleutian Islands pollock fishery allocation. This exclusivity, enforced by a specific provision in Public Law 108-199, could potentially raise questions about fairness and competition, as it appears to limit participation to a single organization.

2. Administrative Burden: The requirement that The Aleut Corporation submit the list of participants at least 14 days before fishing could be considered inflexible. Such a requirement might not align with operational needs and restructuring fishing schedules, possibly leading to inefficiencies.

3. Cost Evaluation: The document estimates that the annual cost to the public for compliance is a mere $5, covering recordkeeping and reporting. This figure appears unusually low and might not accurately capture the total administrative burden on participants, overlooking potential internal costs beyond the basic paperwork.

4. Limited Respondent and Feedback Scope: The process reportedly involves only one respondent, which is The Aleut Corporation. This limited feedback scope could indicate a narrow applicability of the information collection process, potentially affecting its robustness and adaptability to wider stakeholder needs.

5. Public Comment Utilization: Although public feedback is sought, the document does not directly explain how these comments will inform future policy or decision-making. This lack of clarity might lead to skepticism regarding the transparency and accountability of the review process.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

Broadly, the information collection requirement aims to ensure sustainable management of fishery resources, an effort crucial to conservation and economic stability in regions reliant on marine resources. Effective management is intended to benefit the environment and local economies alike.

For specific stakeholders, particularly those associated with The Aleut Corporation, participation in the pollock fishery is directly tied to economic opportunities. The arrangement could potentially streamline operations and ensure focused economic development in Adak. However, for other potential competitors, the current exclusive allocation system might limit market entry and competition, a possibly contentious issue requiring careful review and possible reevaluation.

Conclusion

This notice from NOAA invites crucial stakeholder engagement to refine the administrative processes associated with the Aleutian Islands pollock fishery. While it seeks to minimize reporting burdens, certain provisions and assumptions in the current framework warrant scrutiny. As public comments are integrated, the hope is that NOAA will enhance clarity, fairness, and operational efficiency in managing this significant natural resource.

The document outlines an initiative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Department of Commerce concerning the Aleutian Islands pollock fishery requirements. This initiative is a part of fulfilling the legal mandates set forth by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004.

One aspect of the initiative involves financial references and estimated costs associated with information collection activities. Specifically, the document states the estimated total annual cost to the public for complying with these collection requirements, which is noted as $5 in recordkeeping and reporting costs. This cost estimate appears nominal, suggesting that the financial burden on the public—presumably business participants in the pollock fishery—regarding this particular reporting requirement is minimal.

Financial Allocations and Issues

The allocation of the Aleutian Islands pollock fishery to The Aleut Corporation, as mandated by Public Law 108-199, is a significant financial and operational decision. This law specifically allocates the fishery to the corporation for economic development purposes in Adak, Alaska. Consequently, this allocation may raise concerns about exclusivity and fairness, possibly limiting competitive opportunities for other entities. The financial implications of such a specific allocation are not extensively covered in terms of broader economic impacts or potential opportunities for other stakeholders within the fishery sector.

Discussion on Estimated Costs

The presentation of $5 as the estimated total annual cost could raise questions about the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the financial assessments involved in fulfilling the paperwork requirements. This estimate predominantly accounts for recordkeeping and reporting costs. However, it might not capture other incidental costs participants incur, such as administrative labor, resource allocation for compliance, or potential indirect costs arising from the rigid requirement to submit lists 14 days before commencing operations.

Given that the document's cost estimate only recognizes a single respondent, it implies that only The Aleut Corporation—or a very limited group—is subject to these requirements, which might indicate a narrow scope in financial assessment and reporting burdens. The accuracy of such a low cost estimate could be prone to scrutiny, especially if stakeholders perceive it as not reflecting the actual financial burden of compliance.

Overall, these minimal financial references in the document suggest a simple reporting burden in terms of dollar value, but they may overlook other financial considerations important to participants in the Aleutian Islands pollock fishery. Thus, stakeholders and decision makers might benefit from a more nuanced financial analysis that encompasses a broader spectrum of potential costs and economic impacts associated with the regulatory requirements.