[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 18 (Monday, January 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 3881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2004]



[[Page 3881]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 012202A ]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Vessel 
Monitoring System for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

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 March 29, 2002.

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 Christopher Rogers, Highly Migratory Species 
Management Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or by e-mail at 
[email protected] or phone at 301-713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Vessels fishing for Atlantic tuna and swordfish that use pelagic 
longline gear may be required to install and operate vessel monitoring 
systems. Automatic position reports would be submitted on an hourly 
basis whenever the vessel is at sea. The information aids in the 
enforcement of fishery regulations. Vessel operators may also be 
required to follow an equipment installation checklist and to then 
submit it to NOAA. The checklist provides information on the hardware 
and communications service selected by each vessel. NOAA will use the 
returned checklists to ensure that position reports are received and to 
aid NOAA in troubleshooting problems.

II. Method of Collection

    Checklists are submitted in paper form. Position reports are 
automatically sent electronically by the vessel monitoring system 
units.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0372.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 320.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 4 hours for installation of equipment; 
2 hours for annual maintenance of the equipment (beginning in the 
second year); 0.033 seconds per automated position report from the 
automated equipment; and 5 minutes to complete and return an 
installation checklist.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 883.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $754,500.

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: January 17, 2002.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-2004 Filed 1-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S