[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 155 (Friday, August 10, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42202-42203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20115]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 080701B]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Northwest 
Region Vessel Identification Requirements

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 9, 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 William L. Robinson, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (phone 206-526-6140).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The success of fisheries management programs depends significantly 
on regulatory compliance. The vessel identification requirement is 
essential to facilitate enforcement. The ability to link fishing or 
other activity to the vessel owner or operator is crucial to 
enforcement of regulations issued under the authority of the Magnuson 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act. A vessel's official number (or 
international radio call sign--IRCS---if a foreign vessel), is required 
to be displayed on the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or 
hull, and on a weather deck. It identifies each vessel and should be 
visible at distances at sea and in the air. Vessels that qualify for 
particular fisheries are readily identified, gear violations are more 
readily prosecuted, and this allows for more cost-effective 
enforcement. Cooperating fishermen also use the number to report 
suspicious activities that they observe. Regulation-compliant fishermen 
ultimately benefit as unauthorized and illegal fishing is deterred and 
more burdensome regulations are avoided.

II. Method of Collection

    Fishing vessel owners physically mark vessel with identification 
numbers in three locations per vessel.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0355.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations 
(fishermen in the Open Access and Limited Entry Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,984.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 45 minutes (15 minutes per marking.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,488 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $69,440 ($35 per vessel).

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;

[[Page 42203]]

they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 3, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-20115 Filed 8-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S