[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 236 (Monday, December 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 69669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23862]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Vessel 
Monitoring System Requirement for American Samoa Pelagic Longline 
Fishery

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 8, 
2008.

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 Walter Ikehara, (808) 944-2275 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The commercial fishing vessels active in the American Samoa-based 
pelagic longline fishery that are greater than 50 feet in length 
overall must allow the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to 
install Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) units on their vessels when 
directed to do so by NMFS enforcement personnel. VMS units 
automatically send periodic reports on the position of the vessel. NMFS 
uses the reports to monitor the vessel's location and activities while 
enforcing longline fishing area closures. NMFS provide the funds for 
the units and messaging.

II. Method of Collection

    The only information collected is vessel position reports, which 
are automatically transmitted via the VMS.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0519.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profits organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4 hours to install a VMS; 2 hours per 
year to maintain a VMS; 24 seconds a day to transmit hourly automated 
position reports from a vessel.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 193.
    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: December 4, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-23862 Filed 12-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P