[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 11619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4075]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species Vessel and Gear Marking

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of 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 May 5, 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 Michael Clark, 301-713-2347 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Under current regulations at 50 CFR 635.6, fishing vessels 
permitted for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species must display their 
official vessel numbers on their vessels. Flotation devices attached to 
certain fishing gears must also be marked with the vessel's number to 
identify which vessel is responsible for the gear. These requirements 
are necessary for law enforcement and monitoring purposes.
    Specifically, all vessels owners that hold a valid Highly Migratory 
Species (HMS) permit, other than an HMS angling permit, are required to 
mark their vessels with their vessel identification number. The numbers 
should be permanently affixed to, or painted on the port and starboard 
sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck, so 
as to be clearly visible from an enforcement vessel or aircraft. 
Furthermore, fishermen that use longline gear must mark high-flyers and 
terminal buoys with their vessel identification number. The gillnet 
fishermen must mark their terminal buoys, and handgear or harpoon 
fishermen must mark all buoys attached to their gear with their vessel 
identification number. Buoy gear fishermen must mark all flotation 
devices attached to certain fishing gears.

II. Method of Collection

    There is no form under this requirement. Official vessel numbers 
issued to vessel operators are marked on the vessel and on flotation 
devices attached to certain fishing gears, if applicable.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0373.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,842.
    Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes to mark a vessel and 15 
minutes to mark a flotation device.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,954.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $286,040.

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 27, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-4075 Filed 3-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P