[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6415-6416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3001]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 020303D]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Socioeconomic 
Monitoring Program for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

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 April 8, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW,

[[Page 6416]]

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 Dr. Vernon Leeworthy, 301-713-3000, extension 138, or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The purpose of this information collection is to obtain 
socioeconomic monitoring information in the Florida Keys National 
Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). In 1997, regulations became effective that 
created a series of ``no take zones'' in the FKNMS. Monitoring programs 
are used to test the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of the 
no take zones. Three voluntary data collection 
efforts support the socioeconomic monitoring program.
    The first collection involves a set of four panels on commercial 
fishing operations, where commercial fishermen will be interviewed to 
assess financial performance and assess the impacts of Sanctuary 
regulations. Information on catch, effort, revenues, operating and 
capital costs will be obtained to do financial performance analysis. 
Information on socioeconomic factors for developing profiles of the 
commercial fishermen such as age, sex, education level, household 
income, marital status, number of family members, race/ethnicity, 
percent of income derived from fishing, percent of income derived from 
study area, years of experience in fishing will be gathered to compare 
panels with the general commercial fishing population. The data would 
be collected annually.
    The second collection will monitor recreational for-hire operations 
through the use of dive logs for estimating use in the no 
take areas versus other areas for snorkeling, scuba diving 
and glass-bottom boat rides. Volunteers will collect the logbooks 
monthly.
    The third collection will survey all users of no take 
areas. Respondents will be asked to rate both the importance 
and satisfaction with various natural resource attributes and 
characteristics (e.g., water clarity, coral cover, number and diversity 
of sea life, etc.).

II. Method of Collection

    Interviews will generally be used. The users surveys will also 
include a mailed questionnaire, and dive shops will be requested to 
maintain records.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0409.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 788.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 3 hours for a commercial fishing panel 
member; 10 hours for a dive shop; and 20 minutes for a questionnaire or 
telephone survey of a visitor to or a resident of a Sanctuary 
Preservation Area or Ecological Reserve.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 725.
    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: January 31, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-3001 Filed 2-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-S