Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Highly Migratory Species Vessel Logbooks and Cost-Earnings Data Reports, 10003 [E8-3507]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 37 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 10003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3507]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Highly 
Migratory Species Vessel Logbooks and Cost-Earnings Data Reports

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 25, 2008.

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 Joseph Desfosse, (301) 713-2347 or 
Joseph.Desfosse@noaa.gov or Margo Schulze-Haugen, (301) 713-2347 or 
Margo.Schulze_Haugen@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Under the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
is responsible for management of the nation's marine fisheries. In 
addition, NMFS must comply with the United States' obligations under 
the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.), 
which implements the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) recommendations. NMFS collects information via 
vessel logbooks to monitor the U.S. catch of Atlantic swordfish, 
sharks, marlins, and tunas in relation to the quotas, thereby ensuring 
that the United States complies with its domestic and international 
obligations. The information supplied through vessel logbooks also 
provides the catch and effort data necessary to assess the status of 
highly migratory species and to evaluate bycatch in each fishery. 
International stock assessments for tunas, swordfish, marlins, and some 
species of sharks are conducted and presented to the ICCAT periodically 
and provide, in part, the basis for ICCAT management recommendations 
which become binding on member nations. The domestic stock assessments 
for most species of sharks are used as the basis of managing these 
species. Supplementary information on fishing costs and earnings has 
been collected via this vessel logbook program. This economic 
information enables NMFS to assess the economic impacts of regulatory 
programs on small businesses and fishing communities, consistent with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Executive Order 12866, 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and other domestic laws.

II. Method of Collection

    Logbooks are being completed and submitted in paper form.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0371.
    Form Number: NOAA Form 88-191.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,451.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes for cost/earnings summaries 
attached to logbook reports; 30 minutes for annual expenditure forms; 
12 minutes for logbook catch reports; and 2 minutes for negative 
logbook catch reports.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 29,461.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no capital or 
recordkeeping/reporting expenditures required).

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: February 20, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-3507 Filed 2-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P