[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 53 (Monday, March 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13465-13466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5526]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pacific Islands 
Region Seabird-Fisheries Side-Setting Survey

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 20, 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

[[Page 13466]]

copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Alvin Katekaru, (808) 973-2937 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council is preparing 
mitigation measures to reduce interactions between seabirds and the 
Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery, by requiring longline vessel 
operators to use either side-setting (setting the longline fishing gear 
from the side of the vessel rather than the stern) or the current suite 
of seabird mitigation measures, plus tori lines. Although side-setting 
shows to be the most promising mitigation technique in terms of 
effectiveness, additional information is needed. The vessel operators 
currently voluntarily side-setting will be asked to provide data on the 
operational benefits of side-setting as well as the effectiveness of 
side-setting as a seabird deterrent. This collection of information is 
intended to provide the National Marine Fisheries Service with 
information as to the cost, availability of equipment, and operational 
use of equipment, required for side-setting. This information will be 
used to determine whether it is feasible and cost effective for Hawaii 
longline vessels to convert to side setting, and to formulate 
specifications for vessels side-setting.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper surveys administered and completed by staff in interviews 
conducted dockside with participants.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profits organizations, and 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 120.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 60.
    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: March 16, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-5526 Filed 3-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P