82 FR 26062 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 107 (June 6, 2017)

Page Range		26062-26063
FR Document		2017-11627

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 82 Issue 107 (Tuesday, June 6, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26062-26063]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11627]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Vessel 
Monitoring System (VMS) Program

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 August 7, 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 Scott Miller, (907) 586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) units integrate global positioning 
system (GPS) and communications electronics into a single, tamper-
resistant package to automatically determine the vessel's position 
several times per hour. The units can be set to transmit a vessel's 
location periodically and automatically to an overhead satellite in 
real time. In most cases, the vessel owner is unaware

[[Page 26063]]

of exactly when the unit is transmitting and is unable to alter the 
signal or the time of transmission. The VMS unit is passive and 
automatic, requiring no reporting effort by the vessel operator. A 
communications service provider receives the transmission and relays it 
to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Law 
Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard. Enforcement of management 
measures, such as directed fishing closures and critical habitat no-
fishing zones, relies heavily on the use of VMS.

II. Method of Collection

    Automatic GPS position reporting starts after VMS transceiver 
installation and power activation on board the vessel. The unit is pre-
configured and tested for NMFS VMS operations. Vessel operators who 
purchase and install a VMS on a vessel must fax a one-time VMS check-in 
report to NMFS. Thereafter, submittal is automatic by satellite.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0445.
    Form Number(s): 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: 83.
    Estimated Time per Response: 12 minutes for VMS check-in report; 2 
hours for VMS operation (includes installation and maintenance).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 130.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $67,793 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 1, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-11627 Filed 6-5-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

26062 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 107 / Tuesday, June 6, 2017 / Notices

eLandings, seaLandings, and correcting or updating information, or other forms of information
tLandings are data entry components of availability of more timely data for technology.
the Alaska Interagency Electronic fishery managers, and reduction of Comments submitted in response to
Reporting System (IERS), which is a duplicative reporting of similar this notice will be summarized and/or
collaborative program run by the information to multiple agencies. included in the request for OMB
National Marine Fisheries Service approval of this information collection;
(NMFS) Alaska Regional Office, the II. Method of Collection
they also will become a matter of public
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Methods of submittal include online record.
(ADF&G), and the International Pacific and email. Clients with limited internet Dated: June 1, 2017.
Halibut Commission (IPHC). eLandings, access, such as the at-sea fleet, use
Sarah Brabson,
seaLandings, and tLandings provide the seaLandings client desktop software and
submit landing reports as email NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
Alaska fishing industry with a
consolidated electronic means of attachments or over the Internet. The [FR Doc. 2017–11628 Filed 6–5–17; 8:45 am]
reporting production and landings of vessels use satellite communications, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
commercial fish and shellfish to which may or may not include
multiple management agencies with a telephone, Internet, text messaging,
single reporting system. NMFS collects email, and email attachment DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
groundfish harvest and production data capabilities.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
for fishery management plan species in
III. Data Administration
the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
ADF&G collects harvest data for OMB Control Number: 0648–0515. Proposed Information Collection;
groundfish species taken in State of Form Number(s): None.
Comment Request; Alaska Vessel
Alaska waters and has responsibility for Type of Review: Regular submission
Monitoring System (VMS) Program
some fisheries in the EEZ, such as (extension of a current information
lingcod and black rockfish. ADF&G and collection). AGENCY: National Oceanic and
NMFS cooperatively manage the Crab Affected Public: Business or other for- Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Rationalization Program fisheries in the profit; individuals or households. Commerce.
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Estimated Number of Respondents: ACTION: Notice.
Management Area. NMFS and IPHC 273.
cooperatively manage Individual Estimated Time per Response: 35 SUMMARY: The Department of
Fishing Quota (IFQ) for Pacific halibut minutes for a tLandings landing report; Commerce, as part of its continuing
and sablefish in both State waters and 30 minutes for catcher/processor effort to reduce paperwork and
in the EEZ. eLandings landing report; 18 minutes respondent burden, invites the general
eLandings is a web-based application for active response and 5 minutes for public and other Federal agencies to
used by vessels and processors to report inactive response for pilot catcher vessel take this opportunity to comment on
groundfish, crab, Pacific halibut, and trawl electronic logbook (eLog); 15 proposed and/or continuing information
sablefish production and landings data. minutes for active response and 5 collections, as required by the
Processors with limited internet access, minutes for inactive response for Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
such as the at-sea fleet, use eLandings catcher vessel eLog, catcher/processor DATES: Written comments must be
client desktop software named eLog and mothership eLog; 15 minutes submitted on or before August 7, 2017.
seaLandings, provided by NMFS, and for eLandings registration; 10 minutes
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
submit the required reports as email for eLandings/seaLandings landing
to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
attachments or via direct transmit over report; and 20 minutes for at-sea
Paperwork Clearance Officer,
the Internet. Once data are entered and response; and 10 minutes for shoreside
Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
submitted, the User must print daily and stationary floating processor
14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
through eLandings each landing report, response for eLandings/seaLandings
Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
production report, logbook report, and if production report.
Internet at pracomments@doc.gov).
an IFQ delivery, each IFQ receipt. The Estimated Total Annual Burden
parties to the information must Hours: 16,865. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
acknowledge the accuracy of the printed Estimated Total Annual Cost to Requests for additional information or
reports by signing them and entering the Public: $2,870 in recordkeeping/ copies of the information collection
date signed. In addition, the User must reporting costs. instrument and instructions should be
make the printed copies available upon directed to Scott Miller, (907) 586–7228.
IV. Request for Comments
request of NMFS observers and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
authorized officers. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information I. Abstract
tLandings is a software application for
tender vessels that records landings data is necessary for the proper performance This request is for extension of a
on a USB flash drive and creates a of the functions of the agency, including currently approved information
printable fish ticket. The fish ticket is whether the information shall have collection.
printed on board the tender vessel and practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)
signed by the delivering catcher vessel agency’s estimate of the burden units integrate global positioning system
operator. When the tender vessel (including hours and cost) of the (GPS) and communications electronics
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

delivers to the shoreside processor, the proposed collection of information; (c) into a single, tamper-resistant package
shoreside processor uploads the landing ways to enhance the quality, utility, and to automatically determine the vessel’s
information on the USB flash drive into clarity of the information to be position several times per hour. The
eLandings. collected; and (d) ways to minimize the units can be set to transmit a vessel’s
Some of the benefits of IERS include burden of the collection of information location periodically and automatically
improved data quality, automated on respondents, including through the to an overhead satellite in real time. In
processing of data, improved process for use of automated collection techniques most cases, the vessel owner is unaware

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 107 / Tuesday, June 6, 2017 / Notices 26063

of exactly when the unit is transmitting approval of this information collection; and will generally be posted online at
and is unable to alter the signal or the they also will become a matter of public http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/
time of transmission. The VMS unit is record. incidental/construction.htm without
passive and automatic, requiring no Dated: June 1, 2017. change. All personal identifying
reporting effort by the vessel operator. A Sarah Brabson,
information (e.g., name, address, etc.)
communications service provider voluntarily submitted by the commenter
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
receives the transmission and relays it may be publicly accessible. Do not
[FR Doc. 2017–11627 Filed 6–5–17; 8:45 am]
to the National Marine Fisheries Service submit confidential business
(NMFS) Office of Law Enforcement and BILLING CODE 3510–22–P information or otherwise sensitive or
the U.S. Coast Guard. Enforcement of protected information.
management measures, such as directed FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
fishing closures and critical habitat no- Youngkin, Office of Protected
fishing zones, relies heavily on the use National Oceanic and Atmospheric Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
of VMS. Administration Electronic copies of the application and
II. Method of Collection supporting documents, as well as a list
RIN 0648–XF411
of references cited in this document,
Automatic GPS position reporting may be obtained at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
starts after VMS transceiver installation Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental
to Specified Activities; Dismantling of pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm.
and power activation on board the In case of problems accessing these
vessel. The unit is pre-configured and the Original East Span of the San
Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge documents, please call the contact listed
tested for NMFS VMS operations. Vessel above.
operators who purchase and install a AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VMS on a vessel must fax a one-time Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
VMS check-in report to NMFS. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Background
Thereafter, submittal is automatic by Commerce. Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
satellite. ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
III. Data harassment authorization; request for the Secretary of Commerce to allow,
comments and information. upon request, the incidental, but not
OMB Control Number: 0648–0445.
Form Number(s): None. intentional, taking of small numbers of
SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request marine mammals by U.S. citizens who
Type of Review: Regular submission from the California Department of
(extension of a currently approved engage in a specified activity (other than
Transportation (CALTRANS) for an commercial fishing) within a specified
collection). incidental take authorization to take
Affected Public: Business or other for- geographical region if certain findings
small numbers of six species of marine are made and either regulations are
profit organizations; individuals or mammals, by harassment, incidental to
households. issued or, if the taking is limited to
the dismantling of the original East harassment, a notice of a proposed
Estimated Number of Respondents: Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay
83. authorization is provided to the public
Bridge (SFOBB) in the San Francisco for review.
Estimated Time per Response: 12
Bay (SFB), California. Pursuant to the An authorization for incidental
minutes for VMS check-in report; 2
Marine Mammal Protection Act takings shall be granted if NMFS finds
hours for VMS operation (includes
(MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments that the taking will have a negligible
installation and maintenance).
on its proposal to issue an incidental impact on the species or stock(s), will
Estimated Total Annual Burden
harassment authorization (IHA) to not have an unmitigable adverse impact
Hours: 130.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to incidentally take marine mammals on the availability of the species or
Public: $67,793 in recordkeeping/ during the specified activities. stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
reporting costs. DATES: Comments and information must relevant), and if the permissible
be received no later than July 6, 2017. methods of taking and requirements
IV. Request for Comments ADDRESSES: Comments on the pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether application should be addressed to Jolie and reporting of such takings are set
the proposed collection of information Harrison, Chief, Permits and forth.
is necessary for the proper performance Conservation Division, Office of NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
of the functions of the agency, including Protected Resources, National Marine impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact
whether the information shall have Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West resulting from the specified activity that
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and cannot be reasonably expected to, and is
agency’s estimate of the burden electronic comments should be sent to not reasonably likely to, adversely affect
(including hours and cost) of the ITP.Youngkin@noaa.gov. the species or stock through effects on
proposed collection of information; (c) Instructions: NMFS is not responsible annual rates of recruitment or survival.
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and for comments sent by any other method, The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’
clarity of the information to be to any other address or individual, or means to harass, hunt, capture, kill, or
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the received after the end of the comment attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill
burden of the collection of information period. Comments received any marine mammal.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

on respondents, including through the electronically, including all Except with respect to certain
use of automated collection techniques attachments, must not exceed a 25- activities not pertinent here, the MMPA
or other forms of information megabyte file size. Attachments to defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: Any act of
technology. electronic comments will be accepted in pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i)
Comments submitted in response to Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF has the potential to injure a marine
this notice will be summarized and/or file formats only. All comments mammal or marine mammal stock in the
included in the request for OMB received are a part of the public record wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has

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Document Created: 2017-06-06 06:20:43
Document Modified: 2017-06-06 06:20:43

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Written comments must be submitted on or before August 7, 2017.
Contact		Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Scott Miller, (907) 586-7228.
FR Citation		82 FR 26062

82 FR 26062 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 107 (June 6, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration