[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 24 (Monday, February 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 6420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2293]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 020205C]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species Vessel and Gear Marking

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 collection, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 8, 2005.

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 Clark, Highly Migratory Species Management 
Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (phone 301-713-2347).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Under current regulations at 50 CFR part 635.6, fishing vessels 
permitted for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) must display 
their official vessel numbers on their vessels. Flotation devices 
attached to certain fishing gear must also be marked with the vessel's 
number to identify catch that is buoyed. These requirements are 
necessary for law enforcement and monitoring purposes.Specifically, all 
vessels owners that hold a valid HMS permit, other than an HMS angling 
permit, are required to mark their vessels with their vessel 
identification number. The numbers should be permanently affixed to, or 
painted on the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and on 
an appropriate weather deck, so as to be clearly visible from an 
enforcement vessel or aircraft. Furthermore, fishermen that use 
longline gear must mark high-flyers and terminal buoys with their 
vessel identification number. Gillnet fishermen must also mark their 
terminal buoys, and handgear or harpoon fishermen must mark all buoys 
attached to their gear with their vessel identification number.

II. Method of Collection

    There is no form or information collected under this requirement. 
Official vessel numbers issued to vessel operators are marked on the 
vessel and on flotation gear, if applicable.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0373.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations (vessel 
owners); and Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,700 vessels for vessel 
identification marking; and 24,064 permit holders for gear marking.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 45 minutes/year to mark a vessel; and 
15 minutes/year to mark a float.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,525 hours for vessel 
identification marking; and 6,877 hours for gear marking.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $304,500.

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 the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; ) 
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 28, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-2293 Filed 2-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S