05-10182. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southwest Region Coral Reef Ecosystems Permit Form

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), DOC.

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 July 22, 2005.

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 Walter Ikehara [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)requires U.S. vessels fishing for coral reef management unit species in the designated low-use Marine Protected Areas and open areas, i.e., waters seaward of the inner boundary of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in the western Pacific region, to obtain and carry a permit. This permit is also required for at-sea transshipment of coral reef management unit species. The permit application form provides basic information about the permit applicant, vessel, fishing gear and method, target species, projected fishing effort, etc., for use by NMFS and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council in determining eligibility for permit issuance. The information is important for understanding the nature of the fishery and provides a link to participants. It also aids in the enforcement of Fishery Management Plan measures.

II. Method of Collection

Information is submitted to NMFS, in the form of paper permit application forms.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0463.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations and individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 12.

Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30.

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: May 17, 2005.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.