[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 31082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14832]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Southeast 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 August 5, 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 John Poffenberger, Southeast Fisheries Science 
Center, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33149, (305) 361-4263.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Reporting requirements for 11 fisheries are included in this family 
of forms. The authority for these mandatory reporting requirements is 
50 CFR 622.5. The National Marine Fisheries Service needs information 
on species composition, quantity caught/landed by species, the amount 
of fishing effort and the location of the fishing in order to provide 
scientifically reliable data in support of the mandated stewardship 
responsibilities delegated by Congress. Collecting this critical 
information using logbooks that are completed by fishermen is desirable 
for two important reasons. First, the fishermen are the best source of 
this information. They are doing the fishing; thus, they know the most 
about it. Secondly, this method involves the fishermen directly. 
Because they are the people being regulated, it is reasonable to use 
information that they provide to determine the best scenario of 
measures to meet the conservation and regulatory requirements placed on 
the NMFS.

II. Method of Collection

    Mandatory logbook forms are the data collection instrument employed 
in this family of forms. Under 50 CFR 622.5, the Science and Research 
Director for the Southeast Fisheries Science Center has the authority 
to select fishermen to report from those who have been issued a Federal 
vessel permit.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0016.
    Form Number: Various.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses of other for-profit (commercial fishery 
vessel owners that have been issued a Federal vessel permit).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,523.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 to 15 minutes, depending upon the 
logbook involved.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 22,121 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: No cost to the public other 
than the time required to complete the logbook forms. The forms are 
provided, along with pre-addressed, postage-paid envelopes.

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: June 2, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-14832 Filed 6-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P