[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55900-55901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27015]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 101299B]
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Vessel Logbooks
AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed Collection; comment request.
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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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
[[Page 55901]]
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 14,
1999.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Christopher Rogers, Highly Migratory Species
Management Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS,
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 713-2347.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Under the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), NOAA is responsible for
management of the Nation's marine fisheries. In addition, NOAA must
comply with the United States' obligations under the Atlantic Tunas
Convention Act of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) collects information via vessel logbooks to
monitor the U.S. catch of swordfish, sharks and bluefin tuna in
relation to the quotas, thereby ensuring that the United States
complies with its international obligations to the International
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The
information supplied through vessel logbooks also provides the catch
and effort data necessary to assess the status of Atlantic highly
migratory species (HMS) resources. Stock assessments are conducted and
presented to ICCAT periodically and provide, in part, the basis for
ICCAT management recommendations which become binding on member
nations. Supplementary information on fishing costs and earnings has
been collected via the HMS vessel logbook program on a voluntary basis.
This economic information enables NMFS to assess the economic impacts
of regulatory programs on small businesses and fishing communities.
Given the need for more representative data and more complete analyses,
NMFS proposes to make the cost/earnings summary a mandatory requirement
of the HMS logbook program.
II. Method of Collection
Vessel operators who are issued a limited access permit in the
swordfish or shark fisheries are required to complete vessel logbooks
for all trips targeting HMS. In addition, selected tuna vessels (10
percent of permitted fleet) will be required to complete logbooks.
Under this revised collection, the cost/earnings summary of the logbook
would be required for selected vessels after all trips targeting HMS.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0648-0371
Form Number: NOAA Form 88-191
Type of Review: Regular submission
Affected public: Business or other for-profit (vessel operators)
Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,540
Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes for cost/earnings summaries
attached to logbook reports.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,946 (these would be the
increase in burden above the 9,481 hours previously approved for this
collection).
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no capital expenditures
required).
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: October 7, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-27015 Filed 10-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
