Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Expanded Vessel Monitoring System Requirement in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery, 75383 [2016-26159]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 210 (Monday, October 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 75383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26159]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Expanded Vessel 
Monitoring System Requirement in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

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 December 30, 
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 Karen Palmigiano, (206) 526-4491 or 
Karen.palmigiano@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has 
established large-scale depth-based management areas, referred to as 
Groundfish Conservation Areas (GCAs), where groundfish fishing is 
prohibited or restricted. These areas were specifically designed to 
reduce the catch of species while allowing healthy fisheries to 
continue in areas and with gears where little incidental catch of 
overfished species is likely to occur. Because NOAA needs methods to 
effectively enforce area restrictions, certain commercial fishing 
vessels are required to install and use a vessel monitoring system 
(VMS) that automatically send hourly position reports. Exemptions from 
the reporting requirement are available for inactive vessels or vessels 
fishing outside the monitored area. The vessels are also required to 
declare what gear will be used.
    To ensure the integrity of the GCAs and Rockfish Conservation 
Areas, a pilot VMS program was implemented on January 1, 2004. The 
pilot program required vessels registered to Pacific Coast groundfish 
fishery limited entry permits to carry and use VMS transceiver units 
while fishing off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California. On 
January 1, 2007, the VMS program coverage was expanded on to include 
all open access fisheries in addition to the limited entry fisheries. 
Finally, in 2010, NMFS expanded the declaration reports to include 
several more limited entry categories.

II. Method of Collection

    The installation/activation reports are available over the 
Internet. Due to the need for the owner's signature, installation 
reports must be faxed or mailed to the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS). Hourly position reports are automatically sent from VMS 
transceivers installed aboard vessels. Exemption reports and 
declaration reports are submitted via a toll-free telephone number.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0573.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (extension of a currently approved 
collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profits organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,500.
    Estimated Time per Response: VMS installation: 4 hours; VMS 
maintenance: 4 hours; installation, exemption and activation reports: 5 
minutes each; and declaration reports: 4 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 12,872.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $4,350,375.

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: October 26, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-26159 Filed 10-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P