[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8842-8843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2370]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Socioeconomic 
Monitoring Program for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), DOC.

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.

[[Page 8843]]


DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 24, 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 Dr. Vernon Leeworthy, 301-713-3000, extension 138, or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The purpose of this information collection is to obtain 
socioeconomic monitoring information in the Florida Keys National 
Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). In 1997, regulations became effective that 
created a series of ``no take zones'' in the FKNMS. Monitoring programs 
are used to test the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of the ``no 
take zones''. Two voluntary data collection efforts support the 
socioeconomic monitoring program.
    The first collection involves a set of four panels on commercial 
fishing operations, where commercial fishermen will be interviewed to 
assess financial performance and to assess the impacts of Sanctuary 
regulations. The information on catch, effort, revenues, operating and 
capital costs will be obtained to do financial performance analysis. 
Seven years of data collection have been completed and this application 
is to complete the efforts for years eight through ten. Information on 
socioeconomic factors for developing profiles of the commercial 
fishermen such as age, sex, education level, household income, marital 
status, number of family members, race/ethnicity, percent of income 
derived from fishing, percent of income derived from study area, years 
of experience in fishing will be gathered to compare panels with the 
general commercial fishing population. The data would be collected 
annually.
    The second collection will monitor recreational for-hire operations 
through the use of dive logs for estimating use in the ``no take 
areas'' versus other areas for snorkeling, scuba diving and glass-
bottom boat rides. Volunteers or a contractor will collect the logbooks 
monthly.

II. Method of Collection

    Face-to-face interviews will generally be used. Dive shops will be 
requested to share their logbooks.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0409.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 3 hours for a commercial fishing panel 
member interview and 10 hours for a dive shop interview.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 790.
    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: February 14, 2006.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-2370 Filed 2-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P