82 FR 44581 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Charter Permits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 184 (September 25, 2017)

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, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44581-44582]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20398]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Pacific 
Halibut Fisheries: Charter Permits

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 November 24, 
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]).
    An electronic copy of the most recent supporting statement for this 
information collection is available from http://www.cio.noaa.gov/itmanagement/pdfs/0592ext14.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Kurt Iverson (907) 586-7228 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    The Alaska Pacific Halibut Charter Program established Federal 
Charter Halibut Permits (CHPs) for operators in the charter halibut 
fishery in IPHC regulatory Areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A (Central 
Gulf of Alaska). Since February 1, 2011, all vessel operators in Areas 
2C and 3A with charter anglers onboard catching and retaining Pacific 
halibut must have a valid CHP onboard during every charter vessel 
fishing trip. CHPs must be endorsed with the appropriate regulatory 
area and number of anglers.
    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implemented this 
program based on recommendations by the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council to meet allocation objectives in the charter halibut 
fishery. This program provides stability in the fishery by limiting the 
number of charter vessels that may participate in Areas 2C and 3A and 
decreasing the overall number of available CHPs over time. The program 
goals are to increase the value of the resource, limit boats to 
qualified active participants in the guided sport halibut sector, and 
enhance economic stability in rural coastal communities.

II. Method of Collection

    Methods of submittal include mail and facsimile transmission of 
paper forms. Fillable pdfs are available on the NMFS Alaska Region Web 
page and may be downloaded, completed, and printed out prior to 
submission.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0592.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 68.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours for Application for Transfer 
of Charter Halibut Permit; 0.5 hours for Application for Military 
Charter Permit; 2 hours for Application for Transfer between IFQ and 
Guided Angler Fish (GAF); and 4 hours for Appeals if an Application for 
Transfer between IFQ and GAF is denied by NMFS.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours and Equivalent Labor Costs to 
the Public: 98 hours and $3,626 per year ($37 per hour for preparing 
and submitting applications and $125/hr for preparing an appeal).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $196 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs for photocopying, obtaining a notarized signature, 
faxing, or mailing applications.

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.

[[Page 44582]]

    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: September 20, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-20398 Filed 9-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P