[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 138 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 41040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16310]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Scientific 
Research, Exempted Fishing, and Exempted Activity Submissions

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 September 15, 
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 Jason Blackburn, (301) 713-2341 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    Fishery regulations do not generally affect scientific research 
activities conducted by a scientific research vessel. Any persons 
planning to conduct research must submit a scientific research plan to 
ensure that the activities are considered research and not fishing. The 
researchers are required to submit reports of their scientific research 
activity after its completion. The National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) may also grant exemptions from fishery regulations for 
educational or other activities (e.g., the testing of fishing gear). 
The applications for these exemptions must be submitted, as well as 
reports on activities.

II. Method of Collection

    Information may be submitted on paper or via e-mail, and in some 
cases by telephone.

II. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0309.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households; not-for-profit institutions; state, local or 
tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 91.
    Estimated Time per Response: Scientific research plans, 113 hours; 
scientific research reports, 3 hours; exempted fishing permit requests, 
95 hours; exempted fishing permit reports, 47 hours; exempted 
educational requests, 3 hours; and exempted educational reports, 2 
hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,003.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $232.

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: July 14, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-16310 Filed 7-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P