Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Permitting, Vessel Identification, and Reporting Requirements for Deepwater Shrimp Fisheries in the Western Pacific Region, 78615-78616 [2011-32366]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78615-78616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32366]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Permitting, 
Vessel Identification, and Reporting Requirements for Deepwater Shrimp 
Fisheries in the Western Pacific 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 February 17, 
2012.

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 Walter Ikehara, (808) 944-2275 or 
Walter.Ikehara@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Under the Code of Federal Regulations in Title 50, Part 665, all 
vessel owners who fish for deepwater shrimp (Heterocarpus spp.), or 
land these species in ports, in the western Pacific region must obtain 
a Federal permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 
They must also mark their vessels for identification. Vessel operators 
must submit NMFS logbook reports of their fishing activity to NMFS 
within 72 hours of the end of each fishing trip.
    The information collected is used to identify participants in the 
fishery, document fishing activities and landings, determine the 
conditions of the stocks, assess the effectiveness of management 
measures, evaluate the benefits and costs of changes in management 
measures, and monitor and respond to accidental takes of protected 
species, including seabirds, turtles, and marine mammals.
    Vessel owners must identify their vessels to assist in aerial and 
at-sea enforcement of fishing regulations.
    The currently approved permit application, vessel identification, 
and logbook reporting requirements are being renewed without change.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents submit paper forms for permit applications and logbook 
reports to NMFS. Permits are valid for one calendar year and may be 
renewed annually. Logbook forms provided by NMFS are completed by the 
vessel operator and submitted to NMFS no later than 72 hours after the 
end of the trip. Methods of submittal at this time include mail, email 
and facsimile transmission of paper forms. In the future, email of 
electronic forms or online access to web-based forms will be available.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0586.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).

[[Page 78616]]

    Affected Public: Individuals or households, businesses or other 
for-profit organizations, and not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Time per Response: Permit application, 30 minutes; 
logbook report, 10 minutes per vessel per fishing day; vessel 
identification, 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 180.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $930 in application fees, 
identification, mailing, faxing, and copying 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: December 13, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-32366 Filed 12-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P