[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27015-27016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12947]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Economic Data for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of
Alaska Groundfish Fisheries and Alaska Halibut Fisheries
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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
[[Page 27016]]
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 15, 1997.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Dave Colpo, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600
Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115, (206) 526-4251.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Data on cost, earnings and employment in Bering Sea/Aleutian
Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) groundfish fisheries and the
Alaska halibut fisheries will be collected from the following four
groups: (1) On-shore processors; (2) motherships; (3) catcher/processor
vessels; and (4) catcher vessels. Companies associated with these
groups will be surveyed for cost, earnings and employment data. In
general, questions will be asked concerning ex-vessel and wholesale
prices and revenue, variable and fixed costs, dependence on the
fisheries, and fishery employment. During the first year of this data
collection program, data will be collected for the BSAI pollock
fishery. The BSAI pollock fishery data are expected to be used for the
following three purposes: (1) To evaluate methods for collecting cost,
earnings and employment data on an ongoing basis for the Alaska
groundfish and halibut fisheries in order to better assess inter-annual
changes in the economic performance of the fishery and the effects of
alternative management measures; (2) to allow the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council) and the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) to conduct such assessments for the BSAI pollock fishery; and
(3) to prepare the Regulatory Impact Review (E.O. 12866) and Regulatory
Flexibility Act Review of the BSAI pollock allocation alternatives that
the Council and the Secretary of Commerce will consider before the
current inshore, offshore and CDQ allocations expire at the end of
1998. As required by law, the confidentiality of the data will be
protected.
The ex-vessel and product value of the BSAI pollock fishery in 1995
exceeded $250 million and $800 million, respectively. The large scale
of many of the harvesting and processing operations and the
concentration of ownership in this fishery mean that improved economic
data for the management of this fishery is a high priority for the
individuals who will provide data for each of the four groups. This is
demonstrated by the fact that the associations representing the four
groups support this data collection effort and have volunteered to
assist in proving the data.
In each subsequent year, the data collection effort will focus on a
different component of the groundfish and halibut fisheries and more
limited data will be collected for the previously surveyed components
of these fisheries. The latter would be done to update the models that
will be used to track economic performance and to evaluate the economic
effects of alternative management actions. This cycle of data
collection will result in cost, earning and employment data being
available and updated for all the components of the groundfish and
halibut fisheries.
II. Method of Collection
During the first year, data will be collected from a sample of the
owners and operators of catcher vessels and factory trawlers that
participate in the BSAI pollock fishery and from the owners of each of
the principal on-shore processing plants and motherships that
participate in the BSAI pollock fishery. The data are expected to be
collected principally by NMFS economists unless funding becomes
available to collect some of the data under contract. Questionnaires
will be mailed to the selected members of each of the four survey
groups and in many cases those individuals will be interviewed to
ensure the clarity of their responses. To the extent practicable, the
data collected will consist of data that the respondents maintain for
their own business purposes. Therefore, the collection burden will
consist principally of transcribing data from their internal records to
the survey instrument and participating in personal interviews.
In subsequent years, a similar method will be used to collect the
same types of information from comparable groups for other components
of the groundfish and halibut fisheries and brief questionnaires will
be sent to a sample of previous respondents to update that data.
Current data reporting requirements will be evaluated to determine if
they can be modified to provide improved economic data at a lower cost
to respondents and the Agency.
III. Data
OMB Number: None.
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: Regular Submission.
Affected Public: Selected harvesters and processors in the Alaska
groundfish and halibut fisheries.
Estimated Number of Respondents First Year: 45 in total consisting
of 20 catcher vessel owners, 15 factory trawler owners, 5 mothership
owners, and 5 on-shore processing plant owners.
Estimated Time Per Response First Year: 2 hours per catcher vessel
and on average 2 catcher vessels per respondent; 5 hours per factory
trawler and on average 2 vessels per respondent; and 5 hours per
mothership and on-shore processor.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours First Year: 255 hours.
Estimated Number of Respondents in Subsequent Years: 60-200.
Estimated Time Per Response in Subsequent Years for New
Respondents: 2 hours per catcher vessel per respondent; 5 hours per
processing vessel or plant per respondent.
Estimated Time Per Response in Subsequent Years for Previous
Respondents: 1 hour per catcher vessel per respondent; 2 hours per
processing vessel or plant per respondent.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Subsequent Years: 400-600
hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. Respondents will not be
required to purchase equipment or materials to respond to this survey.
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: May 12, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
(FR Doc. 97-12947 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 a.m.)
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
