Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Saltwater Sport Fishing Economic Survey, 5967-5968 [05-2192]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 23 (Friday, February 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5967-5968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2192]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 020105E]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska 
Saltwater Sport Fishing Economic Survey

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 April 5, 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 
should be directed to Dr. Dan Lew, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 
98115; telephone: (206) 526-4252; fax: (206) 526-6723; e-mail: 
dan.lew@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) plans to conduct a 
survey to collect data for conducting economic analyses of marine sport 
fishing in Alaska. This survey is necessary to understand the factors 
that affect the economic value of marine recreational fishing trips and 
improve estimates of fishing trip value.
    The Federal Government is responsible for the management of the

[[Page 5968]]

Pacific halibut sport fishery off Alaska, while the State of Alaska 
manages the salmon sport fisheries (Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum, and 
Pink), as well as several other saltwater sport fisheries. The survey's 
scope covers marine sport fishing for Pacific halibut, salmon, and 
other popular marine sport species in Alaska (e.g., lingcod and 
rockfish). The data collected from the survey will be used to estimate 
the value of marine fishing to anglers and to analyze how the type of 
fish caught, catch rates, and fishery regulations affect fishing values 
and anglers' decisions to participate in Alaska marine fishing 
activities.
    The economic information provided from the survey will help inform 
fishery managers about the economic values of Alaska marine sport 
fisheries and the changes to participation in these fisheries with 
proposed regulations.

II. Method of Collection

    The data will be collected through a mail survey. A random sample 
of sport anglers who have fished in Alaska will receive an initial 
questionnaire. In subsequent weeks, a reminder postcard and a second 
questionnaire will be mailed to respondents who have not completed and 
returned the survey. Those not responding to the second full mailing 
will be contacted by telephone and asked to complete and return the 
questionnaire.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,000.
    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 31, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-2192 Filed 2-3-05; 8:45 am]
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