[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 48601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20682]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 080803A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Social, 
Cultural, and 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 October 14, 
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 Patricia Pinto da Silva, 508-495-2370, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    In order to address National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(MSA)requirements, NOAA Fisheries social scientists need to collect a 
broad range of social, cultural and economic information currently 
unavailable. NOAA Fisheries social scientists conduct and support 
scientifically rigorous research as well as apply research findings to 
fishery management needs. This research is designed to improve social 
science data related to the human dimensions of fisheries management 
by:
    1. Investigating social, cultural and economic issues/processes 
related to marine fishery stakeholders including, but not limited to, 
commercial and recreational fishermen, subsistence fishermen, fishing 
vessel owners, fishermen's families, fish processors and processing 
workers, and related fishery support businesses, and fishing 
communities as defined in MSA Sec.  3(16);
    2. Improving the current knowledge of baseline information related 
to marine fishery stakeholders, as described in (1) above;
    3. Monitoring and measuring trends among marine fishery 
stakeholders, as described in (1) above, affected by fishery management 
decisions.

II. Method of Collection

    Qualitative and quantitative research methods will be used to 
collect social, cultural and economic data. Examples of qualitative 
methods that will be employed are ethnographic research, focus groups, 
informal and formal structured and unstructured interviews, and 
participant observation. Examples of quantitative methods that will be 
used include paper and phone surveys and questionnaires.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit organizations, not-for-profit institutions, and State, Local, or 
Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 60 minutes (the response times for 
specific surveys will vary from 5 minutes to multiple hours).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,000.
    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: August 6, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-20682 Filed 8-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S