[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 7477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4556]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Proposal to Collect Economic and Social Information From West 
Coast Limited Entry Fixed Gear Permit and Vessel Owners

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to James L. Seger, Pacific Fishery Management 
Council, 2130 SW 5th, Suite 224, Portland, Oregon 97201 (telephone: 
503-326-6352) or Stephen P. Freese, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Trade and Industry Services Division, Northwest Region, 7600 Sand Point 
Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115, (206) 526-6113.

I. Abstract

    Data will be collected from vessel and permit owners on economic 
and social characteristics of firms harvesting in the West Coast 
limited entry fixed gear sablefish fishery. The fishery is currently 
managed as a derby fishery which has become intolerably short. The data 
to be collected is intended to assist the Council and Secretary of 
Commerce in evaluating the effects of alternatives to derby fishery 
management. These alternatives have substantial allocative 
implications. There is broad industry support for certain provisions in 
the alternatives, e.g. a requirement that the owner of the permit or 
vessel be on board the vessel during fishing operations. However, the 
information necessary to determine the degree to which such provisions 
would change or maintain the current practices is not available. The 
questions to be asked of vessel and permit owners in the fixed gear 
sablefish sector will cover the following topics: legal organization of 
ownership (e.g. individual, partnership, corporation, etc.), 
participation of the vessel owner in fishing operations, status of 
family members as participants in the fishing operation, number of 
employees, number of years of participation in the fishery, vessel's 
home port, number of dependents, dependence on fishing income, level of 
household income. Questions on other social characteristics (age, sex, 
marital status, education level) may also be asked.

II. Method of Collection

    The survey will be administered through the mail. Following the 
initial mailing a reminder post card will be sent. Nonrespondents will 
be sent a second mailing of the questionnaire.

III. Data

OMB Number: None
Form Number: None
Type of Review: Regular Submission
Affected Public: Owners of West Coast Longline and Fishpot Groundfish 
Limited Entry Permits and Vessels
Estimated Number of Respondents: 240
Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20 hours
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.0 Respondents will not need to purchase 
equipment or materials to respond to this survey

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: February 21, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-4556 Filed 2-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P