[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6483-6484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1885]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Large Pelagic 
Fishing Survey

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 Dr. Ronald J. Salz, (301) 713-2328 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 6484]]

I. Abstract

    The Large Pelagic Fishing Survey consists of dockside and telephone 
surveys of recreational anglers for large pelagic fish (tunas, sharks, 
and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean. The survey provides NMFS with 
information to monitor catch of bluefin tuna, marlin and other 
federally-managed species. Catch monitoring in these fisheries and 
collection of catch and effort statistics for all pelagic fish is 
required under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act and the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The information 
collected is essential for the U.S. to meet its reporting obligations 
to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna.
    Due to funding limitations, the Large Pelagic Fishing Survey has 
only been conducted from Maine through Virginia in previous years. In 
2008 NMFS proposes to conduct pilot studies to characterize the 
recreational large pelagic fisheries in the South Atlantic, Gulf of 
Mexico, and Caribbean regions.

II. Method of Collection

    Dockside and telephone interviews are used for the Large Pelagic 
Fishing Survey. In lieu of telephone interviews, respondents may also 
provide information via faxed logsheets or online via a web tool. The 
pilot studies in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean will 
use telephone interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0380.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000 new requirements (18,000 
total).
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes for a telephone 
characterization interview.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,500 new requirements (4,871 
total).
    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: January 29, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-1885 Filed 2-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P