Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Fishery Capacity Reduction Program Buyback Requests, 69835-69836 [2014-27646]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 226 (Monday, November 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69835-69836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27646]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Fishery 
Capacity Reduction Program Buyback Requests

AGENCY: National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 69836]]

proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 23, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at JJessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Paul Marx, (301) 427.8771 or Paul.Marx@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a current information 
collection. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
(NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) established programs to 
reduce excess fishing capacity by paying fishermen to surrender their 
vessels/permits. These fishing capacity reduction programs, or 
buybacks, are conducted pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens 
Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. 109-479). The buybacks can be funded by a 
Federal loan to the industry or by direct Federal or other funding. 
Buyback regulations are at 50 CFR Part 600.
    The information collected by NMFS involves the submission of 
buyback requests by industry, submission of bids, referenda of fishery 
participants and reporting of collection of fees to repay buyback 
loans. For buybacks involving State-managed fisheries, the State may be 
involved in developing the buyback plan and complying with other 
information requirements. NMFS requests information from participating 
buyback participants to track repayments of the loans as well as ensure 
accurate management and monitoring of the loans. The fees recordkeeping 
and reporting requirements at 50 CFR parts 600.1013 through 600.1017 
form the basis for the collection of information.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper reports or electronic reports are required from buyback 
participants. Methods of submittal include mailing of paper reports, 
electronic submission via the Internet, and/or facsimile transmission.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0376.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households; and state, local, or tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: Implementation plan, 6,634 hours; 
referenda votes, bids, seller/buyer reports and annual fee collection 
reports, 4 hours each; completion of fish ticket, 10 minutes; monthly 
fee collection report, 2 hours; advising holder/owner of conflict with 
accepted bidders' representations, 1 hour; potentially 270 hours-state 
approval/review of plans.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,838.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,596 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: November 18, 2014.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-27646 Filed 11-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P