[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7477-7478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4557]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Proposal to Collect Cost and Earnings Information on Participants 
in the Pacific Whiting Industry

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, 

[[Page 7478]]
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 Stephen P. Freese, F/NWO1-Trade and Industry 
Services Division, Bin C15700, National Marine Fisheries Service, 7600 
Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, (206) 526-6113.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Data on the costs and earnings of the four major groups of 
participants in the Pacific whiting industry will be collected. The 
following groups will be surveyed: (1) shorebased processors of 
whiting; (2) at-sea processors of whiting; (3) catcherboats that 
harvest Pacific whiting; and (4) processors of whiting wastes. 
Companies associated with these groups will be surveyed for production, 
cost, and revenue information. In general, questions will be asked 
concerning amount of time spent processing or harvesting whiting; 
amounts of whiting harvested, processed, or converted to waste; the 
harvesting or processing of species other than whiting; ex-vessel and 
wholesale revenues; product recovery rates; and fixed, variable, and 
capital costs. The data will be used for the Regulatory Impact Review 
(E.O. 12866) and the Regulatory Flexibility Act of the Pacific Whiting 
onshore-offshore allocation decisions to be made by the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council and the Secretary of Commerce. As required by law, 
data will be kept on a confidential basis.

II. Method of Collection

    Because of the voluntary nature of the survey, the small number of 
companies in each user group, and the unique characteristics of each 
processor, it will be necessary to survey all processors and harvesters 
to develop appropriate estimates and to allow the necessary aggregation 
of data to protect confidentiality. Most likely, all of the data 
collection will be done by NMFS economists unless funding is located 
for contracting the catcher vessel survey. Questionnaires will be 
mailed to each member of each survey group and in many instances will 
be followed up by interviews where questions and responses can be 
clarified.

III. Data

OMB Number: None
Form Number: None
Type of Review: Regular Submission
Affected Public: Pacific whiting harvesters and processors and Pacific 
whiting waste processors
Estimated Number of Respondents: Total=79: 12 Shorebased processors, 17 
at-sea processors, 40 catcher vessels, and 10 whiting waste processors
Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 79
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.0 Respondents will not need to buy 
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. 96-4557 Filed 2-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P