Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska License Limitation Program (LLP) for Groundfish, Crab, and Scallops, 34930 [2017-15812]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 143 (Thursday, July 27, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 34930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15812]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska License 
Limitation Program (LLP) for Groundfish, Crab, and Scallops

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 September 25, 
2017.

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 pracomments@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Kurt Iverson, (907) 586-7228 or kurt.iverson@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a current information collection.
    The License Limitation Program (LLP) restricts access to the 
commercial groundfish fisheries, commercial crab fisheries, and 
commercial scallop fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska 
except for certain areas where alternative programs exist. The intended 
effect of the LLP is to limit the number of participants and reduce 
fishing capacity in fisheries off Alaska.
    For a vessel designated on an LLP license, the LLP license 
authorizes the type of fishing gear that may be used by the vessel, the 
maximum size of the vessel, an area endorsement, and whether the vessel 
may catch and process fish at sea or if it is limited to delivering 
catch without at-sea processing. LLP licenses that allow vessels to 
catch and process at-sea are assigned a catcher/processor endorsement. 
LLP licenses specify the maximum length overall (MLOA) of the vessel to 
which that LLP license may be assigned. The LLP may also include a 
species endorsement for Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA).
    An LLP license is required for vessels participating in directed 
fishing for LLP groundfish species in the BSAI or GOA, or fishing in 
any BSAI LLP crab fisheries. An LLP license is also required for any 
vessel deployed in scallop fisheries in Federal waters off Alaska 
(except for some diving operations).

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. 
Methods of submittal are mail and facsimile transmission of paper 
forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0334.
    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.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 79.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Request to Extinguish Pacific Cod 
Sideboard Limits for Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors in the Western or 
Central GOA, 30 minutes; Application for Transfer of Groundfish/Crab 
LLP License, 1 hour; Application for Transfer of Scallop LLP License, 1 
hour; and Transfer appeals, 4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 130 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $657 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: July 24, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-15812 Filed 7-26-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P