[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 10206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5046]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 022603A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Gulf of Mexico 
Shrimp Mandatory Vessel Owner Economic Data Collection

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 May 5, 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 Michael Travis, Department of Commerce, NOAA, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St, 
Petersburg, FL 33702-2439, (727) 570-5335.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    NOAA proposes to collect census-level information on fishing vessel 
and gear characteristics in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery 
(Exclusive Economic Zone only) to conduct economic analyses that will 
improve fishery management decision-making in that fishery; satisfy 
NOAA's legal mandates under Executive Order 12866, the Magnuson-Stevens 
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 
performance measures in the National Marine Fisheries Service Strategic 
Operating Plans. Used in conjunction with landings and price data 
already being collected in this fishery as part of the dealer reporting 
program, and economic data to be collected under a voluntary program 
(implementation of which is expected later this year), this data will 
be used to properly describe the fishery and its operations. The 
collected information will also help to assess how fishermen will be 
impacted by and respond to any regulation likely to be considered by 
fishery managers. In addition, this data will be used to determine how 
fishing communities will be impacted by proposed fishing regulations.

II. Method of Collection

    The vessel and gear characterization form will be mailed to all 
vessel owners who either currently have or who apply for Gulf of Mexico 
federal shrimp permits. Vessel owners will be asked for information 
about the nature and extent of their operations in the Gulf shrimp 
fishery, as well the types of electronic equipment and gear they use to 
conduct this fishery. Submission of a completed vessel and gear 
characterization form would be mandatory.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,250.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,750.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. (Costs exclude valuation 
of respondents' time.)

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: February 25, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-5046 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S