[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27566-27567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13176]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Application to Shuck Surf Clams/Ocean Quahogs at Sea; 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 July 20, 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 and instructions should 
be directed to Myles Raizin, NMFS, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA, 
01930, (978)281-9104.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for Surf Clams and Ocean 
Quahogs (FMP) implemented a requirement for vessel owners that desire 
to use their vessels for shucking either surf clams or ocean quahogs at 
sea to submit an Application to Process Surf Clams/Ocean Quahogs at Sea 
(Application) to the Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Region 
(Regional Administrator). The contents of the application are specified 
at 50 CFR 648.74(a)(2) and include: Name and address of the applicant, 
permit number of the vessel, method of calculating the amount of surf 
clams or ocean quahogs harvested in the shell, vessel dimensions and 
accommodations, and length of fishing trip. Upon receipt of the 
application, the Regional Administrator may allow the shucking of surf 
clams or ocean quahogs at sea if he/she determines that an observer 
carried aboard the vessel can measure accurately, in bushels, the total 
amount of surf clams and ocean quahogs harvested in the shell prior to 
shucking. The calculation of bushels is extremely important since the 
fisheries operate under a system of individual transferable quotas 
which are defined in 32-bushel units.

II. Method of Collection

    Written application.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0240.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2.

[[Page 27567]]

    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no capital 
expenditures).

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: May 13, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-13176 Filed 5-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P