[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69506-69507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29182]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 111302B]


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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 
(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 17, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 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 and instructions should 
be directed to Chris Rilling, Highly Migratory Species Management 
Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1315

[[Page 69507]]

East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (phone 301-713-2347).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Under the proposed information requirement, vessels fishing for 
Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) with pelagic longline gear on 
board would be required to install and operate a vessel monitoring 
system (VMS). On May 28, 1999, the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) issued a regulation, 50 CFR 635.69(a), requiring all commercial 
pelagic longline vessels fishing for Atlantic HMS to install a NMFS-
approved VMS.
    The Bluewater Fisherman's Association filed a lawsuit challenging 
the VMS requirement, and the U.S. District Court for the District of 
Columbia remanded the regulation to the Secretary of Commerce for 
further consideration. On August 29, 2001 NMFS submitted a 
reconsideration memorandum to the court analyzing alternatives to and 
reaffirming the need for fleetwide implementation of VMS in the 
Atlantic pelagic longline fishery. On October 15, 2002, the U.S. 
District Court for the District of Columbia issued a final order that 
denied plaintiff's objections to the VMS regulation. Based on this 
ruling, NMFS is seeking to reinstate OMB approval for this information 
collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    If approved, automatic position reports would be submitted on an 
hourly basis whenever the vessel is at sea. The information would aid 
in the enforcement of fishery regulations and could allow for delayed 
offloading after a closure.
    Vessel operators would also be required to follow an equipment 
installation checklist and submit it to NMFS. The checklist provides 
information on the hardware and communications service selected by each 
vessel. NMFS would use the returned checklists to ensure that position 
reports are received and to aid NMFS in troubleshooting problems.

II. Method of Collection

    Checklists would be submitted in paper form. Position reports would 
be 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 a one-time 
installation checklist.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,101.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $654,423.

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: November 8, 2002.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-29182 Filed 11-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S