[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 43 (Friday, March 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 11555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5222]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 022900C]


Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan Framework Adjustment 
13; Proposed Information Collection; Request for Comments

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 2, 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 [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to David M. Gouveia, NMFS, 1 Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930, 978-281-9280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The regulations implementing Framework Adjustment 11 to the 
Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) established the 
Georges Bank Sea Scallop Exemption Program (SEP), which provided 
vessels permitted in the limited access scallop program short-term 
access to the groundfish closed area on Georges Bank. The Vessel 
Monitoring System (VMS) was considered to be one of the major tools for 
monitoring and enforcing the regulations pertaining to the SEP. Vessels 
participating in the SEP were required to use a VMS unit for the 
purposes of monitoring Days-At-Sea under the scallop regulations. This 
submission requests comments on similar collection-of-information 
requirements, as well as new requirements, for the proposed Framework 
Adjustment 13 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP. The collection-of-
information requirements are: (1) monthly reporting of intention to 
fish in the SEP through the VMS e-mail; (2) daily reporting of scallops 
kept, Fishing Vessel Trip Report log page, and, for observed trips, 
scallops kept and yellowtail flounder caught on observed tows through 
the VMS e-mail messaging system for vessels fishing in the SEP; (3) 
installation of a VMS unit on occasional and general category vessels; 
(4) notice requirements for observer deployment; (5) documentation of 
installation of a VMS unit; (6) declaration into the SEP through the 
VMS prior to leaving the dock; (7) an increase in the polling frequency 
of the VMS from once every hour to once every thirty minutes; (8) 
requirements for research proposals utilizing a research set-aside in 
the allocations; and (9) requirements for final reports from research 
conducted with the research set-aside.

II. Method of Collection

    A combination of reporting methods will be involved, including 
forms, e-mail communications, phone calls, and automatic electronic 
transmissions.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None
    Form Number: None
    Type of Review: Regular submission
    Affected public: Business and other for-profit
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 408
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 minutes for a monthly e-mail 
notifications of intent to fish in the SEP; 10 minutes for an e-mail 
messaging of catch; 1 hour for the installation of a VMS unit; 2 
minutes for a notification for purposes of observer deployment, 5 
minutes for submitting proof of VMS installation; 2 minutes for 
declaring into the SEP through the VMS prior to leaving the dock; 30 
seconds for each additional automated VMS report; 56 hours for a 
research proposal; and 440 hours for a final report from research 
conducted with research set-asides.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10,474
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $593,422

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: February 25, 2000.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-5222 Filed 3-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F