[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1176-1177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-273]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Mandatory 
Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization Survey

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 March 13, 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 Jason Rueter, (727) 824-5350 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council (Council) to prepare and amend fishery management plans for any 
fishery in waters under its jurisdiction. National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) manages the shrimp fishery in the waters of the Gulf of 
Mexico under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The regulations 
implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR part 680, and regulations at 50 
CFR part 697 and subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 also pertain. The 
corresponding regulations established completion of a mandatory vessel 
and gear characterization form by participants in the shrimp fishery.
    Collection of vessel and gear characterization and fishing effort 
information is necessary, supplemental information to the economic, 
social, and biological information regarding the fishery (collected by 
other means) that is vital to the Optimum Yield (OY) management of 
marine fishery resources as mandated under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802 M-S Act Sec.  3). The 
term ``Optimum'' is defined under section 104-297 of the Act, as: (A) 
Will provide the greatest overall benefit to the Nation, particularly 
with respect to food production and recreational opportunities, and 
taking into account the protection of marine ecosystems; (B) is 
prescribed as such on the basis of the maximum sustainable yield from 
the fishery, as reduced by any relevant economic, social, or ecological 
factors; and (C) in the case of an overfished fishery, provides for the 
rebuilding to a level consistent with producing the maximum sustainable 
yield in such a fishery.
    The currently approved application and reporting requirements are 
being revised to incorporate necessary information identified during 
the first three years of data collection. These changes are not 
expected to alter burden or costs for the collection of information.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. 
Methods of submittal include e-mail of electronic forms, and mail and 
facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0542.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: Reports, 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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.


[[Page 1177]]


    Dated: January 6, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E9-273 Filed 1-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P