[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 11415-11416] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-6161] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Northeast Region Federal Fisheries Permits Family of Forms ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 May 12, 1997. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Andrew A. Rosenberg Ph.D., Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract NOAA is requesting emergency OMB review of new requirements needed for the implementation of Framework Adjustment 20 (Framework 20) to the Fishery Management Plan in the [[Page 11416]] Northeast Multispecies Fishery (FMP). Action is requested by March 17, 1997. Specifically, Framework 20 would implement a gillnet vessel effort-reduction program (by including a cap on the number of nets and revising days-at-sea monitoring), and implement programs to re-direct effort off of the overexploited cod stock in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) area. These measures need to be in effect before May 1, 1997 (the start of the 1997/1998 fishing year) in order to achieve the objectives of the FMP in that fishing year. Failure to have them in effect at the start of the 1997/1998 fishing year would cause administrative problems and prove unnecessarily confusing to the industry. Implementation also cannot be delayed because of the need to make days-at-sea allocations, implement effort-reduction programs in the gillnet fishery, re-direct focus off of the overexploited cod stock in the GOM area, and reduce discards at sea to the maximum extent practicable (as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act). These measures, combined with the measures currently in place, are critical to the overall success of the FMP to rebuild the principal multispecies stocks and mitigate some of its impacts. It is anticipated that these measures will curb a recent pattern of effort displacement into the GOM inshore area that resulted from initial phases of effort-reduction programs under Amendments 5, 6, and 7 to the FMP. Emergency approval of this request is essential to the mission of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). As emergency approvals under the PRA are for a very limited duration, this notice also requests public comments on a follow-up submission that will be made to OMB under standard review procedures. A number of specific information requirements are contained in Framework 20. These measures require that multispecies gillnet vessels select to fish under a ``Day gillnet'' and ``Trip gillnet'' category designation; adds effort reduction requirements for Day gillnet vessels--a requirement to take 120 days out of the gillnet fishery, and the requirement to request tags for, and tag, gillnets; adds a call in requirement for vessels exceeding the cod trip limit when fishing north of 42 deg.00' N. latitude; and adds a cod trip limit exemption program for the cod fishery south of 42 deg.00' N. latitude. II. Method of Collection Declarations and requests for net tags are made by form. Cod hail reports and exemption requests are made by phone. III. Data OMB Number: 0648-0202. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Emergency and Regular Submission. Affected Public: Individuals and businesses (fishermen). Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,500. Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes for category changes, 3 minutes to declare the 120 days out of the fishery, 1 minute to attach each tag, 3 minutes to report cod catch, and 2 minutes to request cod limit exemption. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,999. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $30,240 for tags. 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: March 6, 1997. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 97-6161 Filed 3-11-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P