Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Foreign Fishing Reporting Requirements

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before June 15, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via e-mail at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Bob Dickinson, 301-713-2276, or Bob.Dickinson@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Foreign fishing activities can be authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The collection of information from permitted foreign vessels is necessary to monitor their activities and whereabouts in U.S. waters. Reports are also necessary to monitor the amounts of fish, if any, such vessels receive from U.S. vessels in joint venture operations, wherein U.S. vessels catch and transfer at-sea to permitted foreign vessels certain species for which U.S. demand is low relative to the abundance of the species.

II. Method of Collection

Activity reports are made by radio when fishing begins or ceases, to report on the transfers of fish, and to file weekly reports on the catch or receipt of fish. Foreign vessels are also subject to recordkeeping requirements. These include a communications log, a transfer log, a daily fishing log, a consolidated fishing or joint venture log, and a daily joint venture log. These records must be maintained for three years.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0075.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 25.

Estimated Time Per Response: 6 minutes for a joint venture report; 30 minutes per day for joint venture recordkeeping; and 7.5 minutes per day for recordkeeping by transport vessels.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 422.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $500.

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.