2012-27707. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Socio-Economic Profile of Small-Scale Commercial Fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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 January 14, 2013.

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 Dr. Juan J. Agar, [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This request is for a new information collection.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to collect socio-economic data about small scale fishermen and seafood dealers operating in the U.S. Caribbean. The survey intends to collect information on demographics, fishing practices, costs and earnings (revenues, variable and fixed costs), market and distribution channels, capital investment, attitudes and perceptions about the performance management actions and the health of local fisheries, including the impact of invasive species. The data gathered will be used to describe U.S. Caribbean fisheries, assess socio-economic performance of small-scale fleets, and evaluate the socio-economic impacts of Federal regulatory actions. In addition, the information will be used to strengthen and improve fishery management decision-making, satisfy legal mandates under Executive Order 12866, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act, and other pertinent statues.

II. Method of Collection

The socio-economic information sought will be collected via in-person, telephone and mail surveys.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: None.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission (request for a new information collection).

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hr.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,000.

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: November 8, 2012.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.