[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72611-72612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-6850]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Vessel 
Monitoring System for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

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 February 6, 
2006.

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 Chris Rilling, Highly Migratory Species Management 
Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 
phone (301) 713-2347 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Vessels fishing for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) with 
pelagic longline, bottom longline, or gillnet gear on board are 
required to install and

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operate a vessel monitoring system (VMS). VMS is required in these 
fisheries to aid in enforcement and protection of closed areas. These 
areas were closed to reduce bycatch in HMS fisheries, to aid in 
rebuilding overfished stocks, and to protect protected species such as 
right whales. The automatic position reports are required to be 
submitted on an hourly basis whenever the vessel is at sea. The 
placement of VMS units on fishing vessels allows the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) to determine vessel locations and complements 
the Agency's efforts to monitor and enforce compliance with applicable 
regulations, including time/area closures. Vessel operators who are 
purchasing and installing a VMS unit for the first time are required to 
follow an equipment installation checklist and submit it to NMFS. The 
checklist provides information on the hardware and communications 
service selected by each vessel. NMFS uses the returned checklists to 
ensure that position reports are received and to aid NMFS in 
troubleshooting problems.
    The regulations implementing the VMS requirements are at 50 CFR 
635.69(a). Further information can be found in the final rules 68 FR 
45619, 68 FR 74746, 69 FR 19979 and 69 FR 51010.

II. Method of Collection

    Checklists will be submitted in paper form for vessels installing 
VMS for the first time. Position reports will be automatically sent 
electronically by the vessel monitoring system units.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0372.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 329.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 4 hours for VMS installation; 2 hours 
for annual maintenance of the equipment; 0.033 seconds per automated 
position report from the automated equipment, and 5 minutes to complete 
and return a one-time installation checklist.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,667.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $775,251. This is a maximum 
figure based upon the total number of vessels in the fleet (329), VMS 
maintenance ($500/year), and position reports ($1.39/day).

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: November 30, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E5-6850 Filed 12-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P