[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 245 (Thursday, December 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 66996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32173]



[[Page 66996]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Southwest Region Logbook Family of Forms

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 February 18, 
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 Svein 
Fougner, Fisheries Management Division, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 W. 
Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, California 90802, telephone 
310-980-4034.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Federal Fisheries Logbook Program administered by the Southwest 
Region, NMFS, is the principal mechanism for monitoring the extent and 
nature of fishing in the pelagic longline, crustacean, bottomfish and 
precious corals fisheries in the western Pacific region. These 
fisheries are regulated under fishery management plans prepared by the 
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council and approved by the 
Secretary of Commerce. Persons who have permits to participate in these 
fisheries must maintain and provide to the Southwest Regional 
Administrator, NMFS, data concerning catch, effort, results of 
experimental fishing, or other records. These data are needed to ensure 
the ability to determine the effects of the fishery on the fish stocks, 
determine the economic and social values associated with the fisheries, 
evaluate the effectiveness of management and the impacts of potential 
changes in management, and enforce the regulations governing the 
fisheries.

II. Method of Collection

    Where logbooks are required, permittees are provided with the 
required forms that are filled out while on a fishing trip and are 
submitted to the Regional Administrator on the completion of a trip. 
For experimental fishing, permittees are advised of the information 
that must be provided to the Regional Administrator at the completion 
of the experiment, but are left to furnish that information in the 
manner they see fit. NMFS will provide guidance as requested. Observers 
may be placed on vessels to ensure that more complete and accurate data 
are provided to NMFS than could reasonably be expected of the fishing 
vessel operator. Sales report forms are provided where appropriate. 
Pre-trip and pre-landings reports are made by radio or by messaging 
using automated vessel monitoring system equipment. Protected species 
interaction reports are made in a manner determined by the permittee.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0214.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals and businesses (commercial fishermen).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 215.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes per logbook day, 5 minutes 
for sales reports and notifications, and 4 hours for experimental 
fishing reports.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,293.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0--no capital, operations, 
or maintenance costs are expected.

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 11, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-32173 Filed 12-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-M