[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55783-55784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28494]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Vessel Monitoring and Communications Requirements
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)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 29,
1997.
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 Robert B. Gorrell, F/SF3--Rm. 14603, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 (phone: 301-713-2343).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This is a generic collection of information that includes
regulatory requirements for vessel monitoring and communication under
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act. Fishing vessels and/or at-sea processing vessels in
selected fisheries are required to have installed transponders/vessel
[[Page 55784]]
tracking systems or Inmarsat Communication Units for onboard
communications with the National Marine Fisheries Service. The primary
purpose of such equipment is to communicate the vessel's location or,
in the case of Inmarsat Communication Units, communicate harvest
information collected by observers aboard the vessel. The installation
time of the monitoring and/or communication equipment is measured as
well as the estimated transmission times for communication.
II. Method of Collection
Real-time vessel location information is collected by querying the
transponders and vessel monitoring system units on board the fishing
vessels and/or at-sea processing vessels. This method of collection
obviates the need for a more costly and problematic requirement that
vessel operators report vessel location. Other information on harvest
is electronically communicated by NMFS observers on-board fishing
vessels. Net-sounder devices are also used to collect data on certain
trawl gear.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0648-0307.
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: Regular Submission.
Affected Public: Owners and operators of fishing vessels and at-sea
processing vessels.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 861 (150 multispecies vessels, 250
scallop vessels, 190 groundfish at-sea processing vessels, 100
groundfish trawlers around Kodiak, 165 pelagics vessels, and 6
crustaceans vessels)
Estimated Time Per Response: This varies with type of equipment and
requirement. Upon installation, vessel monitoring or transponder
systems automatically transmit date, which takes about 5 seconds. For
requirements to transmit data on Inmarsat communications units,
transmissions take about 10 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,642.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,408,696. Costs for these
different monitoring and communication systems vary; some impose no
direct costs on the vessel owners or operators.
Direct costs (actual or projected) to vessel owners or operators of
VTS in the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery and in the Northeast
Multispecies Fishery are, on average: (1) $7,000 per initial purchase
and installation of transceiver/terminal and antenna; (2) $120 for
basic monthly communications and messaging costs; and (3) $2,000 per
year for repairs and maintenance (assuming antenna or other problems).
Out of the 150 multispecies vessels and 250 scallop vessels potentially
subject to VTS requirements under existing regulations, an estimated 5
multispecies vessels and 125 scallop vessels already have VTS
installed. Therefore, annual installation costs would be $630,000
($7,000 times 270 vessels annualized over the 3-year period of this
information collection), annual communications and messaging costs
would be $576,000 ($1,440 times 400 vessels), and annual repair and
maintenance costs could be $160,000 ($2,000 times 20 percent of the 400
vessels). These costs total $1,366,000 annually. A requirement for VTS
in the scallop and multispecies fisheries has been proposed, but is not
mandatory at present.
Direct costs to industry for communication equipment for electronic
reporting by observers in the Alaska Groundfish Fisheries are: (1)
$30,000 per initial purchase and installation of INMARSAT Standard A
units; and (2) $5,000 per initial purchase and installation of INMARSAT
Standard C units. All but 12 of the approximately 190 at-sea processing
vessels, affected by the requirement for electronic communication
equipment to facilitate reporting of fisheries data by observers, are
believed to have installed the required equipment. Annual installation
costs would be $36,666 ($30,000 times 2 vessels installing Standard A
units and $5,000 times 10 vessels installing Standard C units
annualized over the 3-year period of this information collection).
Costs of net-sounder devices on 100 groundfish trawlers around Kodiak
Island are not included here because NMFS does not actually require
their use although still in the regulations.
There are no direct costs to owners or operators of the 165 vessels
in the Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific because NMFS owns,
installs, repairs, and maintains the VMS units. NMFS operation also
includes the messaging costs.
Of the 15 permitted vessels in the limited entry Crustacean
Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region, 9 also fish in the pelagic
fishery and already carry VMS units. The owners or operators of the
additional possible 6 lobster vessels would incur a direct cost of
about $2,500 each for initial purchase of VMS units. Installation cost
for each unit would be about $200. Therefore, annual purchase and
installation costs would be $5,400 ($2,700 times 6 vessels annualized
over the 3-year period of this information collection). Annual
messaging costs would be about $270 for the fleet of 15 vessels (15
vessels times 30 days times 4 messages per day times $0.15 per
message--assumes a 30-day season). Annual repair and maintenance costs
for the 6 vessels is estimated at $360 ($60 times 6 vessels). These
costs total $6,030 annually.
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 23, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-28494 Filed 10-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
