81 FR 25389 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 82 (April 28, 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 82 (Thursday, April 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25389-25390]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09948]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine 
Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey

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 June 27, 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 Rob Andrews, NOAA Fisheries, Office of Science and 
Technology, (301) 427-8105 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Marine recreational anglers are surveyed to collect catch and 
effort data, fish biology data, and angler socioeconomic 
characteristics. These data are required to carry out provisions of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.), as amended, regarding conservation and management of 
fishery resources.
    Marine recreational fishing catch and effort data are collected 
through a

[[Page 25390]]

combination of mail surveys, telephone surveys and on-site intercept 
surveys with recreational anglers. Amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) require the development 
of an improved data collection program for recreational fisheries. To 
partially meet these requirements, NOAA Fisheries designed and 
implemented the MRIP Fishing Effort Survey (FES) to ensure better 
coverage and representation of recreational fishing activity.
    The FES is a self-administered, household mail survey that samples 
from a residential address frame to collect data on the number of 
recreational anglers and the number of recreational fishing trips. The 
survey estimates marine recreational fishing activity for all coastal 
states from Maine through Texas.
    FES estimates are combined with estimates derived from independent 
but complementary surveys of fishing trips, the Access-Point Angler 
Intercept Survey, to estimate total, state-level fishing catch, by 
species. These estimates are used in the development, implementation, 
and monitoring of fishery management programs by NOAA Fisheries, 
regional fishery management councils, interstate marine fisheries 
commissions, and state fishery agencies.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected through self-administered mail 
surveys.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0652.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 110,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 18,333 hours.
    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 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: April 25, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-09948 Filed 4-27-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P