2013-07449. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Title: Socio-Economic Profile of Small-Scale Commercial Fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean.

OMB Control Number: None.

Form Number(s): NA.

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

Number of Respondents: 971.

Average Hours Per Response: 1 hour.

Burden Hours: 971.

Needs and Uses: 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.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Frequency: One time.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

OMB Desk Officer: [e-mail].

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to [e-mail].

Dated: March 27, 2013.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.