SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This request is for extension of a current information collection. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the Gulf Fishery Management Council (Council) to prepare and amend fishery management plans for any fishery in waters under its jurisdiction. NMFS manages the commercial shrimp fishery in Federal waters of the Gulf of America (Gulf) under the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf. The electronic logbook (ELB) regulations for the Gulf shrimp fishery may be found at 50 CFR 622.51(a)(2).

As of October 1, 2026, there are approximately 1,171 valid or renewable Federal permits to commercially harvest shrimp from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Gulf. Monitoring shrimp vessels, operating together with many other fishing vessels of differing sizes, gears types used, and fishing capabilities, is made even more challenging by seasonal variability in shrimp abundance and price, and the broad geographic distribution of the fleet. ELBs provide a precise means of estimating the amount of shrimp fishing effort. Using ELBs to estimate fishing effort serves an important role to help estimate bycatch in the Gulf shrimp fleet.

II. Method of Collection

The ELB unit automatically collects fishing effort data and requires manual removal and swapping of the memory cards to be mailed to the NMFS Galveston Laboratory twice per year. The current ELB unit once transmitted these data via a cellular phone connection activated when the vessel is within non-roaming cellular range. However, since the 3G cellular technology discontinued in 2020, the manual collection of memory cards is the new collection method. NMFS, the shrimp industry and Council are developing a 3-part plan to phase out, test and implement a modernized replacement device that will automatically collect fishing effort data and transmit those data via a cellular phone connection activated when the vessel is within non-roaming cellular range.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-0543.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Regular submission—extension of a current information collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,171.

Estimated Time per Response: 3 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,513 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping or reporting costs.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Fishing Regulation 50 CFR 622.51(a)(2).

IV. Request for Comments

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this information collection request. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

91 FR 73213