[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 220 (Thursday, November 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67134-67135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26872]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Northeast 
Fisheries Observer Program Fishermen's Comment Card

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 January 12, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 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 Amy S. Van Atten, (508) 495-2266 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries 
Observer Program (NEFOP) is managed by the Fisheries Sampling Branch 
(FSB) at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). NEFOP 
observers serve aboard commercial fishing vessels from Maine to North 
Carolina, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
    NMFS NEFSC is renewing its request to collect information from 
fishermen who have had NEFOP observers on their vessels. This 
information would be collected on a voluntary basis as a qualitative 
survey to provide NMFS with direct feedback on an observer's 
performance. This information, upon receipt, will ensure higher data 
quality, help to detect fraud, assess contractor performance, provide 
feedback on observer performance, and offer a direct line of 
communication from fishermen to the NEFOP management.

[[Page 67135]]

II. Method of Collection

    Paper survey with a pre-addressed, pre-paid postage to be submitted 
to the NEFOP at the NEFSC. The survey will also be available on the 
Internet.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0536.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 520.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 260.
    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: November 6, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-26872 Filed 11-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P