[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 165 (Thursday, August 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52489-52490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19560]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 082004A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Scup Gear 
Restricted Area (GRA) Access Program Authorization

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)).

[[Page 52490]]


DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 25, 
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]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Sarah McLaughlin, National Marine Fisheries Service, One 
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The regulations at 50 CFR 648.122 require that vessels that are 
subject to the provisions of the Southern and Northern Gear Restricted 
Areas may fish for, or possess, non-exempt species (Loligo squid, black 
sea bass and silver hake (whiting)) using trawl nets. The nets must 
have a minimum mesh size less than 4.5 inches (diamond mesh), provided 
that the following requirements are met:
    1. The vessel carries on board all required Federal fishery permits 
and a Scup GRA Exemption Program Authorization issued by the Regional 
Administrator, Northeast Region;
    2. The vessel carries a NMFS-certified observer on board if any 
portion of the trip will be, or is, in a GRA; and,
    3. The vessel fishes in a GRA only with a specially modified trawl 
net that has an escapement extension consisting of a minimum of 45 
meshes of 5.5-inch (13.97-cm) square mesh that is positioned behind the 
body of the net and in front of the codend.

II. Method of Collection

    To enroll in the Scup GRA Exemption Program, vessel owners are 
required to call the National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast 
Regional Office (NERO) Permits Office at (978) 281-9370, and provide 
the vessel name, permit number, mailing address, and the GRA (i.e., 
Southern or Northern) for which exemption is requested. The vessel must 
carry the Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the Scup GRA Exemption 
Program issued by the Regional Administrator. In addition, each vessel 
must obtain, pay for, and carry on board a NMFS-certified observer when 
fishing in a Scup GRA using the exempted gear. Vessel owners who enroll 
in the Program and request an LOA are required to make arrangements to 
obtain an observer for any trip that will be in a GRA by calling the 
NOAA-certified observer contractor a minimum of 5 business days in 
advance of the start of the trip, and providing the following 
information: Vessel name and permit number; captain or contact name and 
phone number; port of departure; and date of departure.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0469.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; and business or other 
for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 72.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 890.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $482.

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 19, 2004,
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-19560 Filed 8-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S