2014-23716. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast Region Gear Identification Requirements

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commmerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the 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 December 5, 2014.

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 Adam Bailey, [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This request is for a regular submission (extension of a currently approved information collection).

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Region manages the U.S. fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico regions under various Fishery Management Plans (FMPs). The Regional Fishery Management Councils prepared the FMPs pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). The regulations implementing the FMPs are located at 50 CFR part 622.

The recordkeeping and reporting requirements in 50 CFR part 622 form the basis for this collection of information. Requirements that fishing gear be marked are essential to facilitate enforcement. The ability to link fishing gear to the vessel owner is crucial to enforcement of regulations issued under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The marking of fishing gear is also valuable in actions concerning damage, loss, and civil proceedings. The requirements imposed in the Southeast Region are for coral aquacultured live rock; golden crab traps; mackerel gillnet floats; spiny lobster traps; black sea bass pots; and buoy gear.

II. Method of Collection

The markings will be placed directly on the gear.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-0359.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved collection).

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,847.

Estimated Time per Response: Live rocks, 10 seconds; golden crab and spiny lobster traps and sea bass pots, seven minutes each; mackerel gillnets and buoy gear, 20 minutes each.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 25,645.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $410,311.50.

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 approval by the Office of Management and Budget for this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: September 30, 2014.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.