[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 82 (Tuesday, April 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 23221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10924]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Alaska Region Vessel Permit Moratorium

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 June 30, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska 
Regional Office, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, Alaska 99882-1668 (907-586-
7228).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The Moratorium on Entry imposes a temporary moratorium on the entry 
of new (unqualified) vessels into the groundfish fisheries under 
Federal jurisdiction in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
area, the groundfish fisheries under Federal Management in the Gulf of 
Alaska, and the crab fisheries under Federal jurisdiction in the Bering 
Sea/Aleutian Islands. An owner of qualified vessels must apply for and 
receive a permit from NMFS before deploying that vessel in one of the 
above named fisheries. This permit requirement is essential to the 
purpose of the Moratorium on Entry, which is to curtail increases in 
fishing capacity and provide industry stability. The Moratorium on 
Entry is intended to promote the conservation and management objectives 
of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

II. Method of Collection

    Applicants submit a form and any supporting documentation necessary 
in order to receive a Moratorium on Entry permit, which is a mandatory 
requirement for an owner deploying a qualified vessel in the fisheries 
under Federal jurisdiction as specified above.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0282.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: All owners of qualified vessels planning to deploy 
vessels in fisheries affected by the Moratorium on Entry.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 638.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 0.46 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 293 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no material or equipment 
will need to be purchased to provide information).

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: April 22, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-10924 Filed 4-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P