[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55900-55901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27015]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 101299B]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Vessel Logbooks

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
Commerce.

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)).


[[Page 55901]]


DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 14, 
1999.

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 Christopher Rogers, Highly Migratory Species 
Management Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 713-2347.

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. In addition, NOAA must 
comply with the United States' obligations under the Atlantic Tunas 
Convention Act of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) collects information via vessel logbooks to 
monitor the U.S. catch of swordfish, sharks and bluefin tuna in 
relation to the quotas, thereby ensuring that the United States 
complies with its international obligations to the International 
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The 
information supplied through vessel logbooks also provides the catch 
and effort data necessary to assess the status of Atlantic highly 
migratory species (HMS) resources. Stock assessments are conducted and 
presented to ICCAT periodically and provide, in part, the basis for 
ICCAT management recommendations which become binding on member 
nations. Supplementary information on fishing costs and earnings has 
been collected via the HMS vessel logbook program on a voluntary basis. 
This economic information enables NMFS to assess the economic impacts 
of regulatory programs on small businesses and fishing communities. 
Given the need for more representative data and more complete analyses, 
NMFS proposes to make the cost/earnings summary a mandatory requirement 
of the HMS logbook program.

II. Method of Collection

    Vessel operators who are issued a limited access permit in the 
swordfish or shark fisheries are required to complete vessel logbooks 
for all trips targeting HMS. In addition, selected tuna vessels (10 
percent of permitted fleet) will be required to complete logbooks. 
Under this revised collection, the cost/earnings summary of the logbook 
would be required for selected vessels after all trips targeting HMS.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0371
    Form Number: NOAA Form 88-191
    Type of Review: Regular submission
    Affected public: Business or other for-profit (vessel operators)
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,540
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes for cost/earnings summaries 
attached to logbook reports.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,946 (these would be the 
increase in burden above the 9,481 hours previously approved for this 
collection).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no capital expenditures 
required).

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: October 7, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-27015 Filed 10-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F