Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms, 19812-19813 [2024-05844]

Download as PDF 19812 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 20, 2024 / Notices noaa.gov; (503) 820–2412) at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD773] Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workgroup (EWG) will hold an online meeting, which is open to the public. DATES: The online meeting will be held Friday, April 5, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pacific Time. ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held online. Specific meeting information, including directions on how to join the meeting and system requirements will be provided in the meeting announcement on the Pacific Council’s website (see www.pcouncil.org). You may send an email to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@ noaa.gov) or contact him at (503) 820– 2412 for technical assistance. Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kit Dahl, Staff Officer, Pacific Council; telephone: (503) 820–2422. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this online meeting is for the EWG to discuss and draft the contents of a report with its recommendations for the Council Operations and Priorities agenda item that the Pacific Council will discuss at its April 2024 meeting. Although non-emergency issues not contained in the meeting agenda may be discussed, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this document and any issues arising after publication of this document that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the intent to take final action to address the emergency. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Special Accommodations Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@ VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:52 Mar 19, 2024 Jkt 262001 Dated: March 15, 2024. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–05874 Filed 3–19–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms The Department of Commerce will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, on or after the date of publication of this notice. We invite the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on October 3, 2023 (88 FR 68110), during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. Title: Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms. OMB Control Number: 0648–0206. Form Number(s): None. Type of Request: Regular submission (extension of a current information collection). Number of Respondents: 430. Average Hours per Response: Application for Federal Fisheries Permit: 21 minutes; Application for Federal Processor Permit: 25 minutes; Exempted Fisheries Permit application: 100 hours. Total Annual Burden Hours: 256 hours. Needs and Uses: The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), Alaska Region, is requesting extension of a currently approved information collection for the applications for the Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP), the Federal Processor Permit (FPP), and the Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP). PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 NMFS requires an FFP for U.S. vessels that are used to fish for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska or Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. An FFP is also required for vessels used to fish for any non-groundfish species and that are required to retain any bycatch of groundfish under 50 CFR 679.4(b). An FPP is required for stationary floating processors (processing vessels that operate solely within Alaska State waters) and is required for shoreside processors that receive and/or process groundfish harvested from Federal waters or from any federally permitted vessels. NMFS issues an EFP to allow groundfish fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited under regulations for groundfish fishing. EFPs are issued to support projects that could benefit the groundfish fisheries and the environment and result in gathering information not otherwise available through research or commercial fishing operations. Regulations governing these permits are at 50 CFR 600.745, 679.4, and 679.6. Section 303(b)(1) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act specifically recognizes the need for permit issuance. Requiring a permit for marine resource users— mandated by 50 CFR 679.4(b), 679.4(f); 679.6; and 600.745(b)—is one of the regulatory steps taken to carry out conservation and management objectives. Permit issuance is essential in fishery resources management for identification of the participants and expected activity levels and for regulatory compliance. The information requested on the FFP, FPP, and EFP applications is used for fisheries management and regulatory compliance by NMFS Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS Restricted Access Management Program, NMFS Observer Program, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. The type of information collected on the FFP application includes permit holder identification information, vessel information, permit information, and species endorsements. Information collected on the FPP application includes processor identification information, stationary floating processor or community quota entity vessel information, and vessel ownership information. An EFP application includes information on the applicant and a description of the project design including how it will vary from current fishing regulations, the species affected and targeted, when and where the fishing will take place, the vessel that will be used, and a E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 20, 2024 / Notices provision for public release of all obtained information. Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit organizations. Frequency: Annually; Every 3 years; On occasion. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits; Mandatory. Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This information collection request may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view the Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function and entering either the title of the collection or the OMB Control Number 0648–0206. Sheleen Dumas, Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2024–05844 Filed 3–19–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Foreign Fishing Vessel Permits, Vessel, and Gear Identification, and Reporting Requirements National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:52 Mar 19, 2024 Jkt 262001 comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB. DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before May 20, 2024. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at NOAA.PRA@noaa.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 0648– 0075 in the subject line of your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Jasmine Prat, Fishery Policy Analyst, Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection (F/IS5), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, 301–427–8364 or jasmine.prat@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This request is for the extension of an existing information collection. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issues permits, under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; MSA), to foreign fishing vessels fishing or operating in U.S. waters. MSA and associated regulations at 50 CFR part 600 require that vessels apply for fishing permits, that vessels and certain gear be marked for identification purposes, that observers be embarked on selected vessels, and that permit holders report their fishing effort and catch or, when processing fish under joint ventures, the amount and locations of fish received from U.S. vessels. These requirements apply to all foreign vessels fishing, transshipping, or processing fish in U.S. waters. Information is collected from persons who operate a foreign fishing vessel in U.S. waters to participate in a directed fishery or joint venture operation, transship fish harvested by a U.S. vessel to a location outside the U.S., or process fish in internal waters. Each person operating a foreign fishing vessel under MSA authority may be required to submit information for a permit, mark their vessels and gear, or submit information about their fishing activities. To facilitate observer coverage, foreign fishing vessel operators must provide a quarterly schedule of fishing effort and upon request must also provide observers with copies of any required records. For foreign fishing PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19813 vessels that process fish in internal waters, the information collected varies somewhat from other foreign fishing vessels that participate in a directed fishery or a joint venture operation. In particular, these vessels may not be required to provide a permit application or mark their vessels. The information submitted in applications is used to determine whether permits should be used to authorize directed foreign fishing, participation in joint ventures with U.S. vessels, or transshipments of fish or fish products within U.S. waters. The display of identifying numbers on vessels and gear aid in fishery law enforcement and allows other fishermen to report suspicious activity. Reporting of fishing activities allows monitoring of fish received by foreign vessels. II. Method of Collection Foreign fishing activity reports are made by radio when fishing begins or ceases, to report on transfers of fish, and to file weekly reports on the catch or receipt of fish. Weekly reports may be submitted by fax or email. Recordkeeping requirements for foreign vessels include a communications log, a transfer log, a daily fishing log, a consolidated fishing or joint venture log, and a daily joint venture log. These records must be maintained for three years. Paper forms are used for foreign fishing vessel permit applications. No information is submitted to NMFS for the vessel and gear marking requirements. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648–0075. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved collection). Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 8. Estimated Time per Response: For permit applications: One and one half hours for an application for a directed fishery; two hours for a joint venture application, and 45 minutes for a transshipment permit. For fishing activity reporting: 6 minutes for a joint venture report; 30 minutes per day for joint venture record-keeping; and 7.5 minutes per day for record-keeping by transport vessels. For weekly reports, 30 minutes per response. For foreign vessel and gear identification marking: 15 minutes per marking. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 82. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $3,337 in recordkeeping/ reporting costs. E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19812-19813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05844]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms

    The Department of Commerce will submit the following information 
collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, on or after the date of publication of this notice. We invite the 
general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and 
continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of 
our information collection requirements and minimize the public's 
reporting burden. Public comments were previously requested via the 
Federal Register on October 3, 2023 (88 FR 68110), during a 60-day 
comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public 
comments.
    Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.
    Title: Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms.
    OMB Control Number: 0648-0206.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Request: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Number of Respondents: 430.
    Average Hours per Response: Application for Federal Fisheries 
Permit: 21 minutes; Application for Federal Processor Permit: 25 
minutes; Exempted Fisheries Permit application: 100 hours.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 256 hours.
    Needs and Uses: The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), 
Alaska Region, is requesting extension of a currently approved 
information collection for the applications for the Federal Fisheries 
Permit (FFP), the Federal Processor Permit (FPP), and the Exempted 
Fishing Permit (EFP).
    NMFS requires an FFP for U.S. vessels that are used to fish for 
groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska or Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. An 
FFP is also required for vessels used to fish for any non-groundfish 
species and that are required to retain any bycatch of groundfish under 
50 CFR 679.4(b). An FPP is required for stationary floating processors 
(processing vessels that operate solely within Alaska State waters) and 
is required for shoreside processors that receive and/or process 
groundfish harvested from Federal waters or from any federally 
permitted vessels. NMFS issues an EFP to allow groundfish fishing 
activities that would otherwise be prohibited under regulations for 
groundfish fishing. EFPs are issued to support projects that could 
benefit the groundfish fisheries and the environment and result in 
gathering information not otherwise available through research or 
commercial fishing operations. Regulations governing these permits are 
at 50 CFR 600.745, 679.4, and 679.6.
    Section 303(b)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act specifically recognizes the need for permit issuance. 
Requiring a permit for marine resource users--mandated by 50 CFR 
679.4(b), 679.4(f); 679.6; and 600.745(b)--is one of the regulatory 
steps taken to carry out conservation and management objectives. Permit 
issuance is essential in fishery resources management for 
identification of the participants and expected activity levels and for 
regulatory compliance. The information requested on the FFP, FPP, and 
EFP applications is used for fisheries management and regulatory 
compliance by NMFS Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS Restricted 
Access Management Program, NMFS Observer Program, NOAA Office of Law 
Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the North Pacific Fisheries 
Management Council.
    The type of information collected on the FFP application includes 
permit holder identification information, vessel information, permit 
information, and species endorsements. Information collected on the FPP 
application includes processor identification information, stationary 
floating processor or community quota entity vessel information, and 
vessel ownership information. An EFP application includes information 
on the applicant and a description of the project design including how 
it will vary from current fishing regulations, the species affected and 
targeted, when and where the fishing will take place, the vessel that 
will be used, and a

[[Page 19813]]

provision for public release of all obtained information.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Frequency: Annually; Every 3 years; On occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits; 
Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act.
    This information collection request may be viewed at 
www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view the Department of 
Commerce collections currently under review by OMB.
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of 
this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. 
Find this particular information collection by selecting ``Currently 
under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search 
function and entering either the title of the collection or the OMB 
Control Number 0648-0206.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-05844 Filed 3-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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