[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 216 (Thursday, November 6, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66030-66031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26490]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Vessel 
Monitoring System for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

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 January 5, 2009.

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 Peter Cooper, Highly Migratory Species Management 
Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 
(phone 301-713-2347).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    According to regulations under 50 CFR 635.69, the installation of a 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)-approved vessel monitoring 
systems (VMS) is required on: (1) All vessels issued Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species (HMS) limited access permits (LAP) with pelagic 
longline gear on board; (2) all commercial vessels issued a directed 
shark LAP with bottom longline gear on board that are located between 
33[deg]00' and 36[deg]30' N latitudes between January 1 and July 31; 
and (3) all commercial vessels issued a directed shark LAP with gillnet 
gear on board during the right whale calving season (November 15-March 
31), regardless of location. NMFS published the list of approved VMS 
units for bottom longline or gillnet vessels on April 15, 2004 (69 FR 
19979). This list updated the types of available units for pelagic 
longline vessels.
    VMS is required in these fisheries to aid in enforcement and 
protection of closed areas. The areas were closed to reduce bycatch in 
HMS fisheries, to aid in rebuilding overfished stocks, and to protect 
protected species such as North Atlantic right whales. Automatic 
position reports are required to be submitted on an hourly basis 
whenever the vessel is at-sea. The placement of VMS units on fishing 
vessels allows NMFS to determine vessel locations and

[[Page 66031]]

complements the Agency's efforts to monitor and enforce compliance with 
applicable regulations, including time/area closures. Vessel operators 
who are purchasing and installing a VMS unit for the first time are 
required to follow an equipment installation checklist and submit it to 
NMFS. The checklist provides information on the hardware and 
communications service selected by each vessel. NMFS uses the returned 
checklists to ensure that position reports are received and to aid NMFS 
in troubleshooting problems.

II. Method of Collection

    Equipment installation checklists are submitted in paper form. 
Position reports are automatically sent electronically by the VMS 
units.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0372.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 297.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4 hours for installation, 2 hours for 
annual maintenance of the equipment, and 5 minutes to complete and 
return a one-time installation checklist.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 604.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $11,002 in start-up costs 
($2,200 for a new unit, $0.42 for the equipment installation 
checklist), annualized to $3,667); $251,706 in operation and 
maintenance costs (based on the current 292 vessels plus 5 possible new 
vessels: VMS maintenance ($500/year, and automatic position reports 
($1.00/day). Total: $255,373.

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: November 3, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-26490 Filed 11-5-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P