[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78723-78724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30457]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine 
Recreational Fisheries Statistics 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

[[Page 78724]]

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 February 23, 
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(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Erik Zlokovitz, Phone: (301) 713-2328 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Marine recreational anglers are surveyed for catch and effort data, 
fish biology data, and angler socioeconomic characteristics. These data 
are required to carry out provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (MSA) (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as 
amended, regarding conservation and management of fishery resources.
    Marine recreational fishing catch and effort data are collected 
through a combination of telephone surveys and on-site intercept 
surveys with recreational anglers. The recent amendments to MSA require 
the development of an improved data collection program for recreational 
fisheries. To meet the requirements of MSA, NOAA, National Marine 
Fisheries Service is developing pilot studies to test alternative 
approaches for surveying recreational anglers. Studies will test the 
effectiveness of mail surveys and panel surveys for contacting anglers 
and collecting recreational fishing data. The goal of these studies is 
to develop an efficient means of collecting fishing catch and effort 
data while maintaining complete coverage of the angling population.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected through telephone and mail 
interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0052.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 893,321.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 9 minutes for mail interviews, and 35 
minutes for panel survey phone interviews.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 46,459.
    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: December 18, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-30457 Filed 12-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P