[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 212 (Thursday, November 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55161-55162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27481]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 102601A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Northeast 
Region Raised Footrope Whiting Trawl Exemption Requests and 
Notifications

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 [December 31, 
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 the 
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 Peter Christopher, NMFS, 1 Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930 (phone 978-281-9288).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has been conducting 
an experimental fishery, referred to as the Raised Footrope Whiting 
Trawl Experimental Fishery (Raised Footrope Experiment), to allow 
trawlers to target whiting, red hake, dogfish and other small mesh 
species using a raised footrope trawl. The experiment was designed to 
assess the effectiveness of a raised footrope small mesh otter trawl in 
reducing bycatch of regulated multispecies. Framework Adjustment 35 to 
the Multispecies Fishery Management Plan made the Raised Footrope 
Experiment a multispecies exempted fishery. The collection-of-
information requirements are: (1) a request for a certificate to fish 
in the Raised Footrope Whiting Trawl Exemption, and (2) a notification 
of intention to withdraw from the Raised Footrope Whiting Trawl 
Exemption. Requests for a certificate identify the person, the vessel 
name, the permit number, and how long he/she intends to fish in the 
exemption area (no less than 7 days but not more than 4 months). These 
collection-of-information requirements were approved by OMB under 
emergency procedures for 6 months; NOAA is soliciting comments on its 
intent to request a 3-year Paperwork Reduction Act approval for the 
requirements.

II. Method of Collection

    Requests and notifications are made by telephone.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0422.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations 
(commercial fishermen).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 288.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 230 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,419.

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

[[Page 55162]]

(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: October 25, 2001.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-27481 Filed 10-31-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S