[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 6, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 5569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2876]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 020102B]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Scientific 
Research, Exempted Fishing, and Exempted Activity Submissions

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 April 8, 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 William D. Chappell, Fisheries Management 
Specialist, at 301-713-2341 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Fishery regulations do not generally affect scientific research 
activities conducted by a scientific research vessel. Persons planning 
to conduct such research are encouraged to submit a research plan to 
ensure that the activities are considered research and not fishing. 
NOAA may also grant exemptions from fishery regulations for educational 
or other activities (e.g. testing of fishing gear). Applications for 
these exemptions must be submitted, and reports on activities 
submitted. Somewhat different requirements apply to the Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species fishery, including certain arrival and offloading 
reports.

II. Method of Collection

    Most information is submitted on forms or other written format. 
Some information may be phoned to NOAA.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0309.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit; individuals or 
households; not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal 
government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 359.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour for a scientific research plan, 
an exempted fishing permit request, or an exempted fishing permit 
report; 10 minutes for an application for an exempted fishing permit/
letter of authorization for commercial fishing for Highly Migratory 
Species; 30 minutes for an application for an exempted fishing permit/
letter of authorization for non-commercial fishing for Highly Migratory 
Species; 30 minutes for an annual summary of activities under an 
exempted fishing permit/letter of authorization for sharks; 5 minutes 
for an arrival report for a vessel with a swordfish exempted fishing 
permit/letter of authorization; 5 minutes for a report on non-
commercial activities under an exempted fishing permit/letter of 
authorization for Highly Migratory Species; and 5 minutes for an off-
loading notification for swordfish for a vessel with an exempted 
fishing permit/letter of authorization.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 435.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $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 31, 2002.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-2876 Filed 2-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S