81 FR 11761 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pacific Coast Groundfish Rationalization Sociocultural Study

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 44 (March 7, 2016)

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.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11761-11762]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04888]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Rationalization Sociocultural Study

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 6, 2016.

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 [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Suzanne Russell, Human Dimensions Team, Northwest 
Fisheries Science Center, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112, 
(206) 860-3274 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for revision and extension of a currently approved 
information collection. The revision consists of minor changes to the 
information collection tool.
    Historically, changes in fisheries management regulations have been 
shown to result in impacts to individuals within the fishery. An 
understanding of social impacts in fisheries--achieved through the 
collection of data on fishing communities, as well as on individuals 
who fish--is a requirement under several federal laws. Laws such as the 
National Environmental Protection Act and the Magnuson Stevens Fishery 
Conservation Act (as amended 2007) describe such requirements. The 
collection of this data not only helps to inform legal requirements for 
the existing management actions, but will inform future management 
actions requiring equivalent information.
    Literature indicates fisheries rationalization programs have an 
impact on those individuals participating in the affected fishery. The 
Pacific Fisheries Management Council implemented a rationalization 
program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish limited entry trawl fishery in 
January 2011. This research aims to continue to study the individuals 
in the affected fishery over the long term. Data collection will shift 
from a timing related to changes in the catch share program design 
elements to a five-year cycle. In addition, the study will compare 
results to previous data collection efforts in 2010, 2012, and 2015/
2016. The data collected will provide updated and more comprehensive 
descriptions of the industry as well as allow for analysis of changes 
the rationalization program may create in the fishery. The measurement 
of these changes will lead to a greater understanding of the social 
impacts the management measure may have on the individuals in the 
fishery. To achieve these goals, it is critical to continue data 
collection for comparison to previously collected data and establish a 
time-series which will identify changes over the long term. Analysis 
can also be correlated with any regulatory adjustments due to the 
upcoming five-year review of the program. This study will continue data 
collection efforts to achieve the stated objectives.
    This study is managed by the Human Dimensions Team, Ecosystem 
Science Program, Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries 
Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA.

II. Method of Collection

    Verbal communication and collaboration with key informants, focus 
groups, paper surveys, electronic surveys, and in person interviews 
will be utilized in combination to obtain the greatest breadth of 
information as possible.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0606.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision and extension of a 
current information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations; not-for-profit institutions. State, local and 
tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Time per Response: Surveys and focus groups, 1 hour each 
and interviews, 30 minutes each.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 750.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 0 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

[[Page 11762]]

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: March 1, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-04888 Filed 3-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P