03-10676. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Coastal Pelagics Economic Data Collection.

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before June 30, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 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 Jim Waters, Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516-9722, (252-728-8710).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to collect information about vessel expenses and earnings in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish and coastal pelagics (mackerels) fisheries. The information will be used to conduct economic analyses that will improve fishery management in those fisheries; satisfy NMFS' legal mandates under Executive Order 12866, the Magnuson-Steven 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 quantify achievement of the performances measures in the NMFS Strategic Operating Plans. These data will be collected in conjunction with catch and effort data already being collected in this fishery as part of its logbook program, and will be used to assess how fishermen will be impacted by and respond to regulations likely to be considered by fishery managers.

II. Method of Collection

Owners of selected vessels with Federal commercial permits in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish and coastal pelagics fisheries will be required to report information about trip costs, input usage, input prices, and dockside prices as part of the logbook reporting requirements in this fishery. In addition, these vessel owners will be required to complete and submit by mail a separate form about annual fixed cost information such as expenditures for repair and maintenance, gear purchase and repair, fishing licenses and permits, insurance, dock fees, repayment on boat and business loans, office expenses, etc.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0016.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 350.

Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes per trip report, and 30 minutes for an annual fixed-cost survey.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,400.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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: April 22, 2003.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.