Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Vessel and Gear Marking, 54738-54739 [2011-22487]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 171 (Friday, September 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54738-54739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22487]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species Vessel and Gear Marking

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 November 1, 
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 and instructions should 
be directed to Craig Cockrell, (301) 427-8503 or 
Craig.Cockrell@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a current information 
collection.
    Under current regulations at 50 CFR 635.6, fishing vessels 
permitted for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species must display their 
official vessel numbers on their vessels. Flotation devices and high-
flyers attached to certain fishing gears must also be marked with the 
vessel's number to identify the vessel to which the gear belongs. These 
requirements are necessary for identification, law enforcement, and 
monitoring purposes.
    Specifically, all vessel owners that hold a valid HMS permit under 
50 CFR 635.4, other than an HMS Angling permit, are required to display 
their vessel identification number. Numbers must be permanently affixed 
to, or painted on, the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or 
hull and on an appropriate weather deck, so as to be clearly visible 
from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    Furthermore, the owner or operator of a vessel for which a permit 
has been issued under Sec.  635.4 and that uses handline, buoy gear, 
harpoon, longline, or gillnet, must display the vessel's name, 
registration number or Atlantic Tunas, HMS Angling, or HMS Charter/
Headboat permit number on each float attached to a handline, buoy gear, 
or harpoon, and on the terminal floats and high-flyers (if applicable) 
on a longline or gillnet used by the vessel. The vessel's name or 
number must be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in height in block letters or 
Arabic numerals in a color that contrasts with the background color of 
the float or high-flyer.

II. Method of Collection

    Marking will be done directly on vessels and gear.

[[Page 54739]]

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0373.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Non-profit institutions; State, local, or tribal 
government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,575.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,613.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $303,000.

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: August 29, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-22487 Filed 9-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P