[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 27705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13384]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Southeast Region Gear Identification 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, Pub. L. 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, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Edward E. Burgess, 9721 Executive Center Drive 
North, St. Petersburg, FL, 33702, 813-570-5326.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Under the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) NOAA is responsible for 
management of the Nation's marine fisheries. As part of its efforts to 
enforce fishery regulations, NOAA has included in some of those 
regulations requirements that fishing gear be marked. The ability to 
link gear to its owner or operator is essential for enforcement in 
these fisheries, and the identification of gear is also useful in 
actions concerning the damage or loss of gear. NOAA has previously 
received Paperwork Reduction Act clearance for all of its gear-marking 
requirements under one Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control 
number, 0648-0305, but for internal management reasons NOAA intends 
that future clearances will be obtained on a regional or fishery basis. 
This notice is for the requirements imposed in the Southeast Region for 
the following: coral aquacultured live rock; golden crab traps; reef 
fish traps and floats; Spanish mackerel gillnet floats; spiny lobster 
traps; snapper-grouper traps (pots); stone crab traps.

II. Method of Collection

    Fishermen in selected fisheries must mark their fishing gear. 
Aquacultured live rock which is not geologically distinguishable from 
naturally occurring substrate must be marked or tagged. Each fish or 
spiny lobster trap or pot must be marked with a tag and a buoy must be 
used to mark the traps. Gillnets for Spanish mackerel on the east coast 
of Florida must be marked with floats.

III. Data

    OMB Number: New Number to be Assigned.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Each trap will require 7 minutes to 
mark. It will take 10 seconds to mark each coral rock and it will take 
20 minutes to mark a Spanish mackerel gillnet float.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,187.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $15,275.

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 14, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-13384 Filed 5-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P