Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Economic Data Collection for the Atlantic Wreckfish Fishery, 2619 [05-845]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 2619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-845]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 011005D]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Economic Data 
Collection for the Atlantic Wreckfish Fishery

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 15, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Jim Waters, Department of Commerce, NOAA, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516-
9722, (252-728-8710).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to collect 
economic, sociocultural and demographic data through a one-time census 
about commercial fishing for wreckfish (Polyprion Americanus) along the 
U.S. south Atlantic coast. The wreckfish fishery has been managed with 
Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) since 1992. Few shareholders 
currently fish for wreckfish, yet they have not sold or leased their 
shares. This project will address why shareholders chose not to 
participate in the wreckfish fishery, where and for what species they 
did fish, and why they did not sell or lease their unused quota to 
generate revenue even though they did not fish for wreckfish. Equally 
important is to determine if the process of developing an ITQ system 
contributed to the rapid increase in fishing effort in the early 1990s. 
The results of this inquiry could offer important lessons for 
economists, fishery managers and others researching the appropriateness 
of applying ITQ systems in other fisheries in the southeast.

II. Method of Collection

    Data will be collected through personal interviews with 
approximately 50 past and current shareholders in the ITQ management 
system for the wreckfish fishery. Interviews will include coded and 
open-ended questions to inquire about experiences with the fishery and 
the ITQ management program. All interviews will be tape-recorded and 
transcribed. Participation in the study will be voluntary.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 7, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-845 Filed 1-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S