[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 57 (Monday, March 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13600-13601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7131]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 031902G]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Gulf of Mexico 
Reef Fish and Coastal Pelagics Economic Data Collection

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 13601]]

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 May 24, 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 Jim Waters, Department of Commerce, NOAA, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 
28516-9722, (252-728-8710).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to collect 
information about vessel expenses and earnings in the Gulf of Mexico 
reef fish and coastal pelagics (mackerels) fisheries with which to 
conduct economic analyses that will improve fishery management in those 
fisheries; satisfy NMFS' legal mandates under Executive Order 12866, 
the Magnuson-Steven Fishery Conservation and Management Act (U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.), the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Endangered Species 
Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act; and quantify 
achievement of the performances measures in the NMFS Strategic 
Operating Plans. These data will be collected in conjunction with catch 
and effort data already being collected in this fishery as part of its 
logbook program, and will be used to assess how fishermen will be 
impacted by and respond to regulations likely to be considered by 
fishery managers.

II. Method of Collection

    Owners of selected vessels with Federal commercial permits in the 
Gulf of Mexico reef fish and coastal pelagics fisheries will be 
required to report information about trip costs, input usage, input 
prices, and dockside prices as part of the logbook reporting 
requirements in this fishery. In addition, these vessel owners will be 
required to complete and submit by mail a separate form about annual 
fixed cost information such as expenditures for repair and maintenance, 
gear purchase and repair, fishing licenses and permits, insurance, dock 
fees, repayment on boat and business loans, office expenses and so 
forth.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0016.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 350.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes per trip report; 30 minutes 
for the annual fixed-cost survey.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,400.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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: March 18, 2002.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-7131 Filed 3-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S