Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Transshipment Requirements Under the WCPFC, 31365 [2015-13338]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 31365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13338]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Transshipment 
Requirements Under the WCPFC

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
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 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 3, 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 Tom Graham, Pacific Islands Regional Office, (808) 725-
5032 or tom.graham@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has 
issued regulations under authority of the Western and Central Pacific 
Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFCIA; 16 U.S.C. 6901 et 
seq.) to carry out the obligations of the United States under the 
Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish 
Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission). The 
regulations include requirements for the owners and operators of U.S. 
vessels to: (1) Complete and submit a Pacific Transshipment Declaration 
form for each transshipment that takes place in the Convention Area of 
highly migratory species caught in the Convention Area, (2) submit 
notice to the WCPFC Executive Director containing specific information 
at least 36 hours prior to each transshipment on the high seas in the 
Convention Area, (3) in the event that a vessel anticipates a 
transshipment where an observer is required, provide notice to NMFS at 
least 72 hours before leaving port of the need for an observer, (4) 
submit a notice to the WCPFC Executive Director containing specific 
information six hours prior to entry or exit of the Eastern High Seas 
Special Management Area, (5) complete and submit a U.S. Purse Seine 
Discard form within 48 hours after any discard, and (6) submit a FAD 
Report within 24 hours at the end of each day that the vessel is on a 
fishing trip in the Convention Area.
    The information collected from these requirements is used by NOAA 
and the Commission to help ensure compliance with domestic laws and the 
Commission's conservation and management measures, and are necessary in 
order for the United States to satisfy its obligations under the 
Convention.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents must submit some of the information by mail or in 
person via paper forms, and must submit other information 
electronically by fax or email.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0649.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 211.
    Estimated Time per Response: Transshipment Report: 60 minutes; 
Notice for Transshipment: 15 minutes; Pre-trip Notification for 
Observer Placement: 1 minute; Notice of Entry or Exit for Eastern SMA: 
15 minutes; Purse Seine Discard Report: 30 minutes; Daily FAD Report: 
10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,260.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $11,116 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 are also requested on possible modifications to 
both the Pacific Transshipment Declaration form and the U.S. Purse 
Seine Discard form in order to enhance the convenience and usability of 
the forms. Recent versions of both forms can be found in the WCPFC 
Transshipping, Bunkering, Reporting and Purse Seine Discard Compliance 
Guide at https://www.fpir.noaa.gov/Library/IFD/BA85-compliance-guide-IRC.pdf.
    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 28, 2015.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-13338 Filed 6-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P