Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commercial Fishing Vessel Cost and Earnings Data Collection Survey in the Northeast Region, 26705-26706 [2011-11214]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 89 (Monday, May 9, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26705-26706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11214]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commercial 
Fishing Vessel Cost and Earnings Data Collection Survey in the 
Northeast Region

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 July 8, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW.,

[[Page 26706]]

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 Andrew Kitts, (508) 495-2231 or 
akitts@mercury.wh.whoi.edu.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection.
    Economic data on the costs of operating commercial fishing 
businesses are needed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
to meet the legislative requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, 
Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The Social 
Sciences Branch (SSB) of the NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center 
(NEFSC) is responsible for estimating the economic and social impacts 
of fishery management actions.
    Lack of information on vessel operating costs has severely limited 
the ability of the SSB to assess fishermen's behavioral responses to 
changes in regulations, fishing conditions, and market conditions. 
Establishing an on-going, consistent, data collection program will 
enable the SSB to provide a level of analysis that meets the needs of 
the New England Fishery Management Council, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council and NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, to 
make informed decisions about the expected economic effects of proposed 
management alternatives.

II. Method of Collection

    The survey will be administered via mail and online. Vessel owners 
will receive a survey packet via mail, which will contain a password 
and a secured link to an online version of the survey. Vessel owners 
will be given the option of completing the survey online or by mail.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: NA.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for a new information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,280.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,280.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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: May 4, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-11214 Filed 5-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P