[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 30723-30724] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-14950] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Northeast Region Gear Identification Requirements ACTION: 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 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 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 Northeast Region for the following: American lobster traps; black sea bass traps; scup traps; multispecies fish traps; multispecies gill nets; and multispecies longlines. II. Method of Collection Fishermen in selected fisheries must mark their fishing gear. American Lobster, black sea bass and scup traps must be marked by a number assigned by the Regional Administrator. Multispecies traps, longlines and gillnets must be marked with the owner and vessel names or the vessel's official number, so that it is visible on the surface of the water. 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: 3,203. Estimated Time Per Response: Each lobster trap will take one minute to mark, each multispecies trap, longline and gillnet will take one minute to mark, each scup pot will take one minute to mark and each black sea bass pot will take one minute to mark. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 24,516 hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $367,736. 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. [[Page 30724]] Dated: June 1, 1998. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 98-14950 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P