2018-01073. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Assessment of the Social and Economic Impact of Hurricanes and Other Climate Related Natural Disasters on Commercial and Recreational Fishing Industries in the Eastern, Gulf Coast and ...

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

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 March 26, 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 [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Lisa L. Colburn, [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This request is for a new information collection.

The NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology's Economics and Social Analysis Division seeks to conduct assessments of the social and economic impacts from hurricanes and other climate related natural disasters on commercial and recreational fishing industries in the eastern, gulf coast and Caribbean territories of the United States. It seeks to collect data on the immediate and long-term disruption and impediments to recovery of normal business practices to the commercial and recreational fishing industries. Data would be collected from commercial and recreational for hire fishermen, fish dealers, bait and tackle stores, marinas and other businesses dependent on the fishing industry for livelihood. The data will improve research and analysis of potential fishery management actions by understanding the immediate effects and/or long-term compounding effects of natural disasters on communities most dependent on commercial and recreational fishing. This data collection is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and essential for implementing National Standard 8, which calls for the sustained participation of fishing communities.

II. Method of Collection

This information will be collected by telephone, on-line, and in person.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Regular submission [new information collection].

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,000.

Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,667.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 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: January 17, 2018.

Sarah Brabson,

NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.