Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast Region Gulf of Mexico Electronic Logbook Program, 69517 [2016-24195]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 69517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24195]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast 
Region Gulf of Mexico Electronic Logbook Program

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 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 or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by December 5, 2016.

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 Adam Bailey, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 263 13th Ave 
S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 824-8305, or adam.bailey@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a current information collection.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council (Council) to prepare and amend fishery management plans for any 
fishery in waters under its jurisdiction. NMFS manages the shrimp 
fishery in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) under the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf. The electronic 
logbook (ELB) regulations for the Gulf shrimp fishery may be found at 
50 CFR 622.51(a)(2).
    As of August 25, 2016, there are approximately 1,445 valid or 
renewable Federal permits to harvest shrimp from the exclusive economic 
zone (EEZ) in the Gulf. Monitoring shrimp vessels, operating together 
with many other fishing vessels of differing sizes, gears types used, 
and fishing capabilities, is made even more challenging by seasonal 
variability in shrimp abundance and price, and the broad geographic 
distribution of the fleet. ELBs provide a precise means of estimating 
the amount of shrimp fishing effort. Using ELBs to estimate fishing 
effort serves an important role to help estimate bycatch in the Gulf 
shrimp fleet.

II. Method of Collection

    The current electronic logbook unit automatically collects fishing 
effort data and transmits those data via a cellular phone connection 
activated when the vessel is within non-roaming cellular range.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0543.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (extension of a current information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,445.
    Estimated Time per Response: 6 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,132.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $404,600.

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 or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: October 3, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-24195 Filed 10-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P