Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Transshipment Requirements Under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), 40233 [2018-17399]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 40233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17399]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Transshipment 
Requirements Under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission 
(WCPFC)

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 October 15, 
2018.

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 [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Rini Ghosh, Pacific Islands Regional Office, (808) 725-
5033 or [email protected].

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 (Convention). 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 of highly migratory species in the area of 
application of the Convention (Convention Area) and each transshipment 
of highly migratory species caught in the Convention Area; (2) submit a 
notice containing specific information at least 36 hours prior to each 
transshipment on the high seas in the Convention Area or within 12 
hours of an emergency transshipment that would otherwise be prohibited; 
(3) provide notice to NMFS at least 72 hours before leaving port of the 
need for an observer, in the event that a vessel anticipates a 
transshipment where an observer is required; (4) complete and submit a 
U.S. Purse Seine Discard form within 48 hours after any discard; and 
(5) submit certain information regarding purse seine fishing 
activities. The information collected from these requirements is used 
by NOAA and the WCPFC 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: 214.
    Estimated Time per Response: Transshipment Report: 60 minutes; 
Notice for Transshipment: 15 minutes; Pre-trip Notification for 
Observer Placement: 1 minute; Purse Seine Discard Report: 30 minutes; 
Purse Seine Fishing Activity Information: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,499.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $12,369.

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: August 9, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-17399 Filed 8-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P