[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6482-6483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1883]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Northwest 
Region Vessel Identification Requirements

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

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 April 4, 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 Jamie Goen, (206) 526-4646 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The success of fisheries management programs depends significantly 
on regulatory compliance. The vessel identification requirement is 
essential to facilitate enforcement. The ability to link fishing or 
other activity to the vessel owner or operator is crucial to 
enforcement of regulations issued under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. A vessel's official 
number is required to be displayed on the port and starboard sides of 
the deckhouse or hull, and on a weather deck. It identifies each vessel 
and should be visible at distances at sea and in the air. Vessels that 
qualify for particular fisheries are readily identified, gear 
violations are more readily prosecuted, and this allows for more cost-
effective enforcement. Cooperating fishermen also use the number to 
report suspicious activities that they observe. The regulation-
compliant fishermen ultimately benefit as unauthorized and illegal 
fishing is deterred and more burdensome regulations are avoided.

II. Method of Collection

    Fishing vessel owners physically mark vessel with identification 
numbers in three locations per vessel.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0355.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,693.
    Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes (15 minutes per marking).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,270.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $59,255.

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

[[Page 6483]]

(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: January 29, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-1883 Filed 2-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P