[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3511-3512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1647]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 012103B]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Groundfish 
Tagging Program

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 Phillip Rigby at 907-789-6653, or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The groundfish tagging program provides scientists with information 
necessary for effective conservation, management, and scientific 
understanding of the groundfish fishery off Alaska and the Northwest 
Pacific. The program area includes the Pacific Ocean off Alaska (the 
Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, and the 
Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska), California, Oregon, and 
Washington. Fish movement information from recovered tags is used in 
population dynamics models for stock assessment.

II. Method of Collection

    This is a volunteer program requiring the actual tag from the fish 
to be returned, along with recovery information. Reporting forms with 
pre-addressed and postage-free envelopes are distributed to processors 
and catcher vessels. The tag information will be edited and entered 
into the computer data base. Each person returning a tag will receive 
information on the release site, growth, and depth and area changes, as 
well as a reward of a cap.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0276.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 820.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes for returning a regular tag; 
and 20 minutes for returning an internal archival tag.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 73.
    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

[[Page 3512]]

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. 03-1647 Filed 1-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S