81 FR 89446 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; West Coast Region Vessel Monitoring System and Pre-Trip Reporting Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 238 (December 12, 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 comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89446-89447]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29688]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; West Coast 
Region Vessel Monitoring System and Pre-Trip Reporting Requirements

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 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 February 10, 
2017.

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 Shannon Penna, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 
West Coast Region (WCR) Long Beach Office, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 
4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, (562) 980-4238 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for revision and extension of a current information 
collection. The title will change from West Coast Region Longline 
Monitoring System and Pre-Trip Reporting Requirements to West Coast 
Region Vessel Monitoring System and Pre-trip Reporting Requirements. In 
addition, this collection will merge OMB Control

[[Page 89447]]

Number 0648-0690 (Vessel Monitoring System Requirements in the Eastern 
Pacific Highly Migratory Species Fisheries) into this information 
collection.
    This collection applies to owners and operators of U.S. commercial 
fishing vessels that fish in the West Coast exclusive economic zone and 
the eastern Pacific Ocean waters of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna 
Commission (IATTC) Convention Area for highly migratory species (HMS) 
as defined by the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for United States 
(U.S.) West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species, as well as a 
broader group of tuna and tuna-like species covered by the IATTC. These 
vessel owners and operators are required to submit information about 
their intended and actual fishing activities. These submissions would 
allow the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Pacific 
Fisheries Management Council to monitor the fisheries. Submissions 
include pre-trip reporting requirements and vessel monitoring systems 
(VMS). Pre-trip reporting requirements are essential for effectively 
and efficiently assigning available observer coverage to selected HMS 
vessels. Data collected by observers are critical to evaluate that the 
objectives of the HMS FMP are being achieved and for evaluating the 
impacts of potential changes in fishery management. VMS units 
facilitate enforcement of management measures associated with HMS 
fisheries, provide timely information on associated fleet activities 
and enable confirmation of reported vessel fishing activity locations, 
which help validate logbook record accuracy.

II. Method of Collection

    VMS installation/activation and on/off reports are submitted 
electronically, VMS position reports are submitted via automated 
electronic transmission and pre-trip notifications are made by 
telephone.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0498.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision and extension of a 
current information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 34.
    Estimated Time per Response: Vessel monitoring system (VMS) 
activation reports, 15 minutes; pre-trip reports, 5 minutes; 
maintenance and repair, 60 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 45.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $22,187 (reporting costs for 
vessels 24 meters or more is covered by vessel owner/operators).

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are requested 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: December 7, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-29688 Filed 12-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P