Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey, 28421 [2011-11961]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 28421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11961]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine 
Recreational Fisheries Statistics 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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 18, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Rob Andrews, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, Fisheries Statistics Division, Phone: (301) 713-2328 or 
Rob.Andrews@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for a revision of a current information collection.
    Marine recreational anglers are surveyed for catch and effort data, 
fish biology data, and angler socioeconomic characteristics. These data 
are required to carry out provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as amended, 
regarding conservation and management of fishery resources.
    Marine recreational fishing catch and effort data are currently 
collected through a combination of telephone surveys and on-site 
intercept surveys with recreational anglers. Recent amendments to the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) require 
the development of an improved data collection program for recreational 
fisheries. To meet the requirements of MSA, NOAA Fisheries is 
developing pilot studies to test alternative approaches for surveying 
recreational anglers. Studies will test the effectiveness of 
alternative sample frames and data collection methods for contacting 
anglers and collecting recreational fishing data. The goal of these 
studies is to develop more efficient and accurate methods for 
estimating marine recreational fishing catch and effort.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected through telephone and mail 
interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0052.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 970,105 (44,524 net increase).
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes for mail survey screening 
interviews, 6 minutes for telephone surveys of anglers, and 10 minutes 
for mail surveys of anglers.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 55,834 (6,194 net increase).
    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 11, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-11961 Filed 5-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P