[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 241 (Thursday, December 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70213-70214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32544]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 120999C]
Northwest Region Federal Fisheries Permits; Proposed Information
Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 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.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 14,
2000.
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 (or via
Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to William L. Robinson, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way
NE, Seattle WA 98112, 206-526-6140.
[[Page 70214]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Three data collections dealing with Federal fishery permits affect
participants in the groundfish fishery off Washington, Oregon, and
California (WOC). The three data collections involve: (1) exempted
fishing permits (previously called experimental fishing permits); (2)
limited entry permits for commercial fishermen; and (3) Federal permits
for groundfish processing vessels over 125 ft (38 m) in length.
Exempted (experimental) fishing permits are issued to applicants
for fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited. The
information provided by applications allows NMFS to evaluate the
consequences of the exempted fishing activity and weigh the benefits
and costs. Permittees are required to file reports on the results of
the experiments and in some cases individual vessels are required to
provide minimal data reports. This information allows NMFS to evaluate
techniques used and decide if management regulations should be changed.
A Federal permit is required to commercially catch groundfish, and
permits are endorsed for one or more of three gear types (trawl,
longline, and fish pot). Participation in the fishery and access to
permits have been limited as a way of controlling the overall fleet
harvest capacity. Limited entry permits must be renewed annually and
are transferable.
NOAA is also considering the implementation of a requirement that
fish processing vessels over 125 ft (38 m) in length obtain a Federal
fisheries permit to process groundfish in the WOC fishing area. Such a
requirement may be needed to obtain adequate information on which to
base both in-season and between-season management decisions affecting
the Pacific groundfish resource, to know the number of vessels
operating for the purpose of deployment of observers, and for
enforcement monitoring.
II. Method of Collection
Permit applications are made on NMFS forms. The exempted fishing
data reports from individual vessels which may be a verbal data
collection submitted in person, faxed, or submitted by telephone by the
vessel owner or operator to NMFS or the states of Washington, Oregon,
or California.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0648-0203
Form Number: None
Type of Review: Regular submission
Affected public: Business or other for-profit (owners and
operators of vessels that fish for or process groundfish in ocean
waters 0-200 nautical miles off of Washington, Oregon, or California.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 796
Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes for a limited entry or at-
sea processor permit application; 60 minutes of an exempted fishing
application; 60 minutes for a summary report of actions under an
exempted fishing permit, and 10 minutes for data reports on exempted
fishing permit activities
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 598
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $26,214
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: December 7, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-32544 Filed 12-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
