[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 241 (Thursday, December 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70213-70214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32544]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 120999C]


Northwest Region Federal Fisheries Permits; Proposed Information 
Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 14, 
2000.

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 (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 William L. Robinson, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE, Seattle WA 98112, 206-526-6140.


[[Page 70214]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Three data collections dealing with Federal fishery permits affect 
participants in the groundfish fishery off Washington, Oregon, and 
California (WOC). The three data collections involve: (1) exempted 
fishing permits (previously called experimental fishing permits); (2) 
limited entry permits for commercial fishermen; and (3) Federal permits 
for groundfish processing vessels over 125 ft (38 m) in length.
    Exempted (experimental) fishing permits are issued to applicants 
for fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited. The 
information provided by applications allows NMFS to evaluate the 
consequences of the exempted fishing activity and weigh the benefits 
and costs. Permittees are required to file reports on the results of 
the experiments and in some cases individual vessels are required to 
provide minimal data reports. This information allows NMFS to evaluate 
techniques used and decide if management regulations should be changed.
    A Federal permit is required to commercially catch groundfish, and 
permits are endorsed for one or more of three gear types (trawl, 
longline, and fish pot). Participation in the fishery and access to 
permits have been limited as a way of controlling the overall fleet 
harvest capacity. Limited entry permits must be renewed annually and 
are transferable.
    NOAA is also considering the implementation of a requirement that 
fish processing vessels over 125 ft (38 m) in length obtain a Federal 
fisheries permit to process groundfish in the WOC fishing area. Such a 
requirement may be needed to obtain adequate information on which to 
base both in-season and between-season management decisions affecting 
the Pacific groundfish resource, to know the number of vessels 
operating for the purpose of deployment of observers, and for 
enforcement monitoring.

II. Method of Collection

    Permit applications are made on NMFS forms. The exempted fishing 
data reports from individual vessels which may be a verbal data 
collection submitted in person, faxed, or submitted by telephone by the 
vessel owner or operator to NMFS or the states of Washington, Oregon, 
or California.

III. Data

     OMB Number: 0648-0203
     Form Number: None
     Type of Review: Regular submission
     Affected public: Business or other for-profit (owners and 
operators of vessels that fish for or process groundfish in ocean 
waters 0-200 nautical miles off of Washington, Oregon, or California.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 796
     Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes for a limited entry or at-
sea processor permit application; 60 minutes of an exempted fishing 
application; 60 minutes for a summary report of actions under an 
exempted fishing permit, and 10 minutes for data reports on exempted 
fishing permit activities
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 598
     Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $26,214

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: December 7, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-32544 Filed 12-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F