2014-14308. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska License Limitation Program (LLP) for Groundfish, Crab, and Scallops

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 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 August 18, 2014.

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 currently approved information collection.

The License Limitation Program (LLP) restricts access to the commercial groundfish fisheries, commercial crab fisheries and commercial scallop fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska except for certain areas where alternative programs exist. The intended effect of the LLP is to limit the number of participants and reduce fishing capacity in fisheries off Alaska.

For a vessel designated on an LLP license, the LLP license authorizes the type of fishing gear that may be used by the vessel, the maximum size of the vessel, and whether the vessel may catch and process fish at sea or if it is limited to delivering catch without at-sea processing. LLP licenses that allow vessels to catch and process at-sea are assigned a catcher/processor endorsement. LLP licenses specify the maximum length over all (MLOA) of the vessel to which that LLP license may be assigned. Regulations implementing the LLP prohibit participants in LLP groundfish fisheries from using a vessel to fish for LLP groundfish that has a length overall that is greater than the MLOA specified on the LLP license. The LLP also includes a species endorsement for Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA).

An LLP license is required onboard any vessel deployed in scallop fisheries in Federal waters off Alaska (except for some diving operations). The scallop LLP is intended to limit the number of participants and reduce fishing capacity in the scallop fishery off Alaska. The scallop LLP will limit the number of participants and reduce fishing capacity in the scallop fishery off Alaska.

II. Method of Collection

Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. Methods of submittal include email of electronic forms, and mail and facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-0334.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved collection).

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

Estimated Number of Respondents: 171.

Estimated Time per Response: Affidavit to Remove Non-AFA Crab Sideboards for Pacific Cod in the Western or Central GOA, 2 hours; Notification to Surrender LLP Endorsement, 30 minutes; Survey to Verify the Length Overall (LOA) of the Vessel, 1 hour; Application for Transfer of License Limitation Program Groundfish/Crab License, 1 hour; Application for Transfer License Limitation Program Scallop License, 1 hour; and Transfer appeals, 4 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 323.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,110 in recordkeeping/reporting costs.

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 13, 2014.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.