[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3510-3511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1646]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 012103A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Northwest 
Region Federal Fisheries Permits

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 March 25, 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 the 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 Kevin A. Ford, NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Region, 206-
526-6115 or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Two data collections dealing with Federal fishery permits affect 
participants in the groundfish fishery off Washington, Oregon, and 
California (WOC). The two data collections involve: (1) exempted 
fishing; and (2) limited entry permits for commercial fishermen.

[[Page 3511]]

    Exempted (experimental) fishing permits are issued to applicants 
for fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited. The 
information provided by applications allows the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) to evaluate the consequences of the exempted 
fishing activity and weigh the benefits and costs. Permittees are 
required to file reports on the results of the experiments and in some 
cases individual vessels are required to provide minimal data reports. 
There is also a requirement for a call-in notification prior to a 
fishing trip. This information allows NOAA Fisheries to evaluate 
techniques used and decide if management regulations should be changed.
    A Federal permit is required to commercially catch groundfish, and 
permits are endorsed for one or more of three gear types (trawl, 
longline, and fish pot). Participation in the fishery and access to 
permits have been limited as a way of controlling the overall fleet 
harvest capacity. Limited entry permits must be renewed annually and 
are transferable. Permit owners must fill out renewal forms annually 
and must fill out transfer forms, as needed.

II. Method of Collection

    Permit applications, renewals, and transfers are made on NOAA 
Fisheries forms. Renewal of limited entry permits also may be completed 
electronically using an online form on the Fishery Permit Office Web 
site. The exempted fishing data reports from individual vessels may be 
submitted in person, faxed, or submitted by telephone by the vessel 
owner or operator to NOAA Fisheries or the states of Washington, 
Oregon, or California.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0203.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 707.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes for a limited entry permit 
renewal or transfer; 60 minutes for an experimental fishery permit 
application; 60 minutes for an experimental fishery permit summary 
report; 10 minutes for an experimental fishery data report; and 2 
minutes for an experimental fishery call-in notification prior to a 
fishing trip.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 341.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $46,616.

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 16, 2003
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-1646 Filed 1-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S