2013-15938. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Region Gear Identification Requirements

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

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 September 3, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 Patsy A. Bearden, [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This request is for extension of a current information collection.

Regulations at 50 CFR 679.24(a) require that all hook-and-line, longline pot, and pot-and-line marker buoys carried onboard or used by any vessel regulated under 50 CFR part 679 shall be marked with the vessel name and Federal fisheries permit number or Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) vessel registration number. The regulations also specify the size and color of markings. The marking of gear aids law enforcement and enables other fishermen to report on misplaced gear.

II. Method of Collection

No information is submitted; this is a gear-marking requirement.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-0353.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current information collection).

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

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,692.

Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes per buoy.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,138.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $16,920.

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: June 27, 2013.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.