[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33831-33832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16311]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Vessel Monitoring and Communications Requirements

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 22, 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 James J. Morgan, 562-980-4036.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    NOAA is requesting emergency OMB review of new requirements needed 
for the implementation of an optional vessel monitoring system (VMS) in 
the crustacean fishery of the Western Pacific

[[Page 33832]]

Region. Action is requested by June 24, 1997. The proposed measures 
would allow vessels with a VMS to be within 50 nautical miles of the 
fishing grounds before the season opens and would require those vessels 
to only be 50 nautical miles away from the grounds when the fishery 
closes. Without these provisions, vessels must be at least 200 nautical 
miles away at those times. A VMS allows NOAA to electronically identify 
the location of a vessel. Because of the accuracy of the systems and 
the ability they give NOAA to enforce regulations, location 
restrictions can be relaxed.
    NOAA is requesting emergency review of these requirements to allow 
them to be implemented in time for the beginning of the next fishing 
year, which starts on July 1. Delayed implementation would deny the 
benefits of the provisions until the end of the year. Since most 
vessels involved already have VMSs onboard because of participation in 
another fishery, implementation of the provisions can be almost 
immediate.
    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.
    Vessels fishing with a VMS will not be required to submit any 
information apart from activating their VMS, which can then be queried 
by NOAA.

II. Method of Collection

    The vessel monitoring systems will electronically transmit location 
information to NOAA when queried.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0307.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Emergency Submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses (commercial fishermen).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .033 seconds per response for vessels 
with a VMS already installed. For vessels needing to install a VMS, 
there would be a one-time 4 hour burden for installation of the 
equipment by NOAA, and an annual maintenance time of 2 hours per 
vessel.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (NOAA installs the 
equipment to be used).

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 17, 1997.
Wilson D. Haigler, Jr.,
Chief, Management Control Division, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-16311 Filed 6-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P