[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27052-27053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12959]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Northwest Region Vessel Identification Requirements; Proposed 
Collection

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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 14, 1998.

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 William L. Robinson, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE, Seattle, WA 98115, 206-526-6140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The success of fisheries management programs depends significantly 
on regulatory compliance. The vessel identification requirement is 
essential to facilitate enforcement. The ability to link fishing or 
other activity to the vessel owner or operator is crucial to 
enforcement of regulations issued under the authority of the Magnuson 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act to govern domestic and foreign 
fishing, the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, and the South Pacific Tuna 
Act of 1988. A vessel's official number (or international radio call 
sign--IRCS--if a foreign vessel or if fishing in the South Pacific Tuna 
Fisheries), under most regulations, is required to be displayed on the 
port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on a weather 
deck. It identifies each vessel and should be visible at distances at 
sea and in the air.
    Vessels that qualify for particular fisheries are readily 
identified, gear violations are more readily prosecuted, and this 
allows for more cost-effective enforcement. Cooperating fishermen also 
use the number to report suspicious activities that they observe. 
Regulation-compliant fishermen ultimately benefit as unauthorized and 
illegal fishing is deterred and more burdensome regulations are 
avoided.
    These requirements are currently cleared under OMB Control Number 
0648-0306, which dealt with all NOAA vessel-marking requirements, but 
those requirements will now be submitted on a regional basis.

II. Method of Collection

    Fishing vessel owners physically mark vessel with identification 
numbers in three locations per vessel.

III. Data

    OMB Number: New Number to be Assigned.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit (fishers in the Open 
Access and Limited Entry Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,026.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 45 minutes (15 minutes per marking).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,519 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $60,780 ($30 per vessel).

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

[[Page 27053]]

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: May 12, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-12959 Filed 5-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P