[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 241 (Thursday, December 16, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 70213-70214] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-32544] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 120999C] Northwest Region Federal Fisheries Permits; Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request
Agency
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Action
Proposed collection; comment request.
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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 February 14, 2000.
Addresses
Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov).
For Further Information Contact
Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to William L. Robinson, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle WA 98112, 206-526-6140.
Supplementary Information
I. Abstract
Three data collections dealing with Federal fishery permits affect participants in the groundfish fishery off Washington, Oregon, and California (WOC). The three data collections involve: (1) exempted fishing permits (previously called experimental fishing permits); (2) limited entry permits for commercial fishermen; and (3) Federal permits for groundfish processing vessels over 125 ft (38 m) in length. Exempted (experimental) fishing permits are issued to applicants for fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited. The information provided by applications allows NMFS to evaluate the consequences of the exempted fishing activity and weigh the benefits and costs. Permittees are required to file reports on the results of the experiments and in some cases individual vessels are required to provide minimal data reports. This information allows NMFS to evaluate techniques used and decide if management regulations should be changed. A Federal permit is required to commercially catch groundfish, and permits are endorsed for one or more of three gear types (trawl, longline, and fish pot). Participation in the fishery and access to permits have been limited as a way of controlling the overall fleet harvest capacity. Limited entry permits must be renewed annually and are transferable. NOAA is also considering the implementation of a requirement that fish processing vessels over 125 ft (38 m) in length obtain a Federal fisheries permit to process groundfish in the WOC fishing area. Such a requirement may be needed to obtain adequate information on which to base both in-season and between-season management decisions affecting the Pacific groundfish resource, to know the number of vessels operating for the purpose of deployment of observers, and for enforcement monitoring.
II. Method of Collection
Permit applications are made on NMFS forms. The exempted fishing data reports from individual vessels which may be a verbal data collection submitted in person, faxed, or submitted by telephone by the vessel owner or operator to NMFS or the states of Washington, Oregon, or California.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0648-0203 Form Number: None Type of Review: Regular submission Affected public: Business or other for-profit (owners and operators of vessels that fish for or process groundfish in ocean waters 0-200 nautical miles off of Washington, Oregon, or California. Estimated Number of Respondents: 796 Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes for a limited entry or at- sea processor permit application; 60 minutes of an exempted fishing application; 60 minutes for a summary report of actions under an exempted fishing permit, and 10 minutes for data reports on exempted fishing permit activities Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 598 Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $26,214
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: December 7, 1999. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 99-32544 Filed 12-15-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F