[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 21743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10787]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 042601B]


Survey of Intent and Capacity to Process Fish and Shellfish

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Proposed information 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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 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 George Darcy, Assistant Regional Administrator, 
Sustainable Fisheries Division, 1 Blackburn Circle, Gloucester, MA, 
01930, (978) 281-9331, fax (978) 281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I.. Abstract

    The Fishery Management Plans for Atlantic Surf Clams and Ocean 
Quahogs, and Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish include 
requirements that the National Marine Fisheries Service and/or the Mid-
Atlantic Fishery Management Council survey domestic processors and 
joint venture operators annually to establish industry capacity to 
utilize the managed species.
    A survey, described in the squid, mackerel and butterfish 
regulations at 50 CFR 648.21(b), is used to establish the intent and 
capacity of the U.S. industry to utilize allowable harvest in a given 
year. If the U.S. industry is unable to fully utilize the allowed 
harvest of Atlantic mackerel, the excess may be used in establishing 
levels of catch for joint ventures and/or direct foreign harvest.
    A survey, required under the surf clam and ocean quahog regulations 
at 50 CFR 648.7(a)(3)(ii), is used to obtain data for use in monitoring 
present processing activities and estimating future production at the 
processing plant level.
    Both annual surveys seek information concerning the annual capacity 
to process these species; the historical amount of product processed; 
and the quantity of product to be processed in the future.

II. Method of Collection

    Telephone surveys are used for the surf clam/ocean quahog fishery, 
and paper forms are used for the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and 
butterfish fisheries.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0235.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 54.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes per report for the surf 
clam/ocean quahog fishery, 15 minutes per report for other fisheries.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $19.

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: April 25, 2001.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-10787 Filed 4-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S