Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; U.S. Territorial Catch and Fishing Effort Limits, 47138 [2018-20227]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 47138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20227]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; U.S. 
Territorial Catch and Fishing Effort Limits

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 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 November 19, 
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 Walter Ikehara, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, 
(808) 725-5175, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a current information collection.
    The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western 
Pacific (FEP) contains a process under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to specify catch and/or 
fishing effort limits for management unit species caught by pelagic 
fisheries in the U.S. participating territories. The process allows 
NMFS to authorize the government of each U.S. participating territory 
to allocate a portion of its catch or fishing effort limit to a U.S. 
fishing vessel permitted under the FEP through specified fishing 
agreements. These agreements support fisheries development in the U.S. 
participating territories (see 50 CFR 665.819).
    A specified fishing agreement provides access to an identified 
portion of a catch or fishing effort limit and may not exceed the 
amount specified for the territory and made available for allocation. 
The identified portion of a catch or fishing effort limit in an 
agreement must account for recent and anticipated harvest on the stock 
or stock complex or fishing effort, and any other valid agreements with 
the territory during the same year not to exceed the territory's catch 
or fishing effort limit or allocation limit. Each participating 
territory may submit a complete specified fishing agreement for review 
and approval by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council and 
NMFS. The agreement must (a) identify the vessels and document that 
each fishing vessel has a valid permit issued under 50 CFR 665.801, (b) 
identify the limit on catch of western Pacific pelagic management unit 
species, if applicable, (c) identify the limit on fishing effort, if 
applicable, (d) be signed by an authorized official of the 
participating territory or designated representative, and (e) be signed 
by each vessel owner or designated representative.

II. Method of Collection

    There is no form for an agreement. Agreements may be submitted by 
mail or fax.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0689.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations; State or Territorial government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 9.
    Estimated Time per Response: 6 hours per agreement; 2 hours per 
appeal.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 56 (estimating one appeal per 
year)
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $95 ($10 per agreement, $5 
per appeal) for copying and mailing or for faxing.

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: September 13, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-20227 Filed 9-17-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P