2018-19089. 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.

Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Title: Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Vessel Information Family of Forms.

OMB Control Number: 0648-0595.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Request: Regular (extension of a currently approved information collection).

Number of Respondents: 55.

Average Hours per Response: WCPFC Area Endorsement Application, 60 minutes; Foreign EEZ Form, 90 minutes; IMO number application, 30 minutes.

Burden Hours: 58.

Needs and Uses: This request is for an extension of a currently approved information collection.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued regulations under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFCIA; 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) to carry out the obligations of the United States under the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention), including implementing the decisions of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC or Commission). The regulations include requirements for the owners or operators of U.S. vessels to: (1) Apply for and obtain a WCPFC Area Endorsement if the vessel is used for fishing for highly migratory species on the high seas in the Convention Area (50 CFR 300.212), (2) complete and submit a Foreign Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Form if the vessel is used for fishing for highly migratory species in the Convention Area in areas under the jurisdiction of any nation other than the United States (50 CFR 300.213), and (3) request and obtain an IMO number if the vessel is used for fishing for highly migratory species on the high seas or in areas under the jurisdiction of any nation other than the United States (50 CFR 300.217(c)). An IMO number is the unique number issued for a vessel under the ship identification number scheme established by the International Maritime Organization or, for vessels that are not strictly subject to that scheme, the unique number issued by the administrator of that scheme using the scheme's numbering format, sometimes known as a Lloyd's Register number or LR number.

The application for WCPFC Area Endorsements calls for specified information about the vessel and its operator that is not already collected via the application for high seas fishing permits issued under 50 CFR 300.333. The Foreign EEZ Form calls for specified information about the vessel, its owners and operators and any fishing authorizations issued by other nations. The information required to obtain an IMO number is not submitted to NMFS directly, but to a third party and serves to ensure that IMO numbers are issued for certain categories of vessels.

This information collected under the three requirements is used by NOAA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Commission to monitor the size and composition of the HMS fleets in the Convention Area for compliance-related and scientific purposes and to ensure that IMO numbers are issued for certain categories of vessels.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Frequency: One time and every five years.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

This information collection request may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB.

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

Dated: August 28, 2018.

Sarah Brabson,

NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.