[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 218 (Friday, November 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61603-61604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29615]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 110899E]


Groundfish Tagging Program

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
Commerce

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 January 11, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via 
Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Patsy A. Bearden, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, Alaska 99802, 907-586-
7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The groundfish tagging program provides scientists with information 
necessary for effective conservation, management, and scientific 
understanding of the groundfish fishery off Alaska and the Northwest 
Pacific. The program area includes the Pacific Ocean off Alaska (the 
Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, the Alexander 
Archipelago of Southeast Alaska), California, Oregon, and Washington. 
Population dynamics, non-linear optimization, likelihood function, and 
stock reduction analyses are used to estimate recruitment parameters 
and to assess stock sizes.

II. Method of Collection

    This is a volunteer program requiring the actual tag from the fish 
to be returned, along with recovery information. Reporting forms with 
pre-addressed and postage-free envelopes are distributed to processors 
and catcher vessels. The tag information will be edited and entered 
into the computer data base. Each person returning a tag will receive 
information on the release site, growth, and depth and area changes, as 
well as a reward of a cap.

III. Data

     OMB Number: 0648-0276.
     Form Number: N/A.
     Type of Review: Regular submission.
     Affected public: Individuals or households; State, Local, or 
Tribal governments.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,167.
     Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes.
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 336.
     Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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

[[Page 61604]]

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: November 4, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-29615 Filed 11-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F