[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30722-30723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14949]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Northeast Region Vessel 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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 4, 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 Mary M. Tokarcik, Fisheries Management 
Specialist, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, (978) 281-9326.

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 a requirement that fishing vessels display the vessel's 
official number in a specific way. The display of the number assists 
law enforcement

[[Page 30723]]

officials in monitoring fishing and other activities and to ascertain 
whether the vessel is participating in activities authorized for that 
vessel.
    NOAA has previously received Paperwork Reduction Act clearance for 
all of its vessel-identification requirements under one Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) control number, 0648-0306, 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 Northeast Region for the following fisheries: summer 
flounder; black sea bass; scup; American lobster; Atlantic sea scallop; 
Northeast multispecies; Atlantic surf clam and ocean quahog; Atlantic 
mackerel, squid and butterfish.

II. Method of Collection

    The vessel's official number must be displayed in a specified size 
on the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and on a 
weather deck.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,655.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 45 minutes (15 minutes for each of 3 
specified locations).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,241 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $120,169.

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 1, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-14949 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P