[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 248 (Monday, December 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74943-74944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31897]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 122203B]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Vessel 
Monitoring System Requirements in the Western Pacific Pelagic Longline 
Fishery

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 February 27, 
2004.

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]).

[[Page 74944]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Alvin Katekaru at 803-973-2935, ext. 207, or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Commercial fishing vessels active in the Hawaii-based pelagic 
longline fishery must allow NOAA to install vessel monitoring system 
(VMS) units on their vessel when directed to do so by NOAA enforcement 
personnel. The VMS units automatically send periodic reports on the 
position of the vessel. NOAA uses the reports to monitor the vessel's 
location and activities while enforcing area closures. NOAA pays for 
the units and messaging.

II. Method of Collection

    The only information collected is vessel position reports, which 
are automatically transmitted via the VMS.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0441.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 164.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 4 hours to install a VMS unit; 2 hours 
per year to repair and maintain a VMS unit; and 24 seconds a day to 
transmit hourly automated position reports from a vessel.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 743.
    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: December 19, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-31897 Filed 12-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S