[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60262-60263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30267]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Northwest Region Federal Fisheries Permits

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 January 27, 
1997.

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 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' 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, so that NMFS can evaluate the 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' 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

    These are written data collections that are prepared and submitted 
by the vessel owner or operator to the National Marine Fisheries 
Service, Northwest Regional Office, by mail, fax, electronic mail, or 
in person.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0203.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: This data collection involves owners and operators 
of vessels that fish for or process groundfish in ocean waters 0-200 
nautical miles offshore Washington, Oregon, and California.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 956 respondents are 
expected: 9 for exempted (previously called ``experimental'') fishing 
permits, 930 for limited entry permit renewals or transfers, and 17 for 
at-sea processing permits for vessels over 125 feet (38.5 meters) in 
length.
    Estimated Time Per Response: This is variable depending on the 
action taken. An average of 60 minutes is expected for applications for 
an exempted fishing permit, and 30 minutes to prepare subsequent 
reports. An average of 20 minutes is expected to renew or transfer a 
limited entry permit. An average of 20 minutes is estimated to prepare 
data required of at-sea processing vessels.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The public is expected to 
spend a total of 406 hours complying with these data collections: 90 
hours for exempted fishing permits, 310 hours for limited entry 
permits, and 6 hours for at-sea processing permits.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: The direct cost to the 
public is estimated to be less than $17,200 annually, derived as 
follows: less than $16,000 for transfer, registration and replacement 
fees and underutilized species permit application fees; less than $500 
for vessel documentation; about $500 to have documents notarized; and 
about $200 for mailing. These estimates do not include time spent 
preparing submissions.

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

[[Page 60263]]

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: November 21, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-30267 Filed 11-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P