[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1177-1178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-276]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast 
Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Related Requirements

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 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 reef fish fishery in the waters of the Gulf 
of Mexico under the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The 
regulations implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR part 622, and 
regulations at 50 CFR part 697 and subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 also 
pertain. The corresponding regulations established a mandatory VMS 
requirement.
    The Reef Fish FMP contains several area-specific regulations where 
fishing is restricted or prohibited in order to protect habitat or 
spawning aggregations, or to reduce fishing pressure in areas that are 
heavily fished. Unlike size, bag, and trip limits, where the catch can 
be monitored onshore when a vessel returns to port, area restrictions 
require at-sea enforcement.

[[Page 1178]]

However, at-sea enforcement of offshore area restrictions is difficult 
due to the distance from shore and the limited number of patrol 
vessels, resulting in a need to improve enforceability of area fishing 
restrictions through remote sensing methods. In addition, all fishing 
gears are subject to some area fishing restrictions. Because of the 
sizes of these areas and the distances from shore, the effectiveness of 
enforcement through over flights and at-sea interception is limited. An 
electronic VMS allows a more effective means to monitor vessels for 
intrusions into restricted areas.
    The VMS provides effort data and would significantly aid in 
enforcement of areas closed to fishing. All position reports are 
treated in accordance with NMFS existing guidelines for confidential 
data. As a condition of authorized fishing for or possession of Reef 
Fish in or from the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a 
vessel owner or operator subject to the requirements for a VMS in this 
section must allow NMFS, the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and 
their authorized officers and designees access to the vessel's position 
data obtained from the VMS.
    The currently approved reporting requirements are being renewed 
without change. The burden estimates, however, do have changes due to 
programmatic changes and attrition in the fishery.

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: 0648-0544.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 882.
    Estimated Time per Response: Installation, 4 hours; installation 
and activation checklist, 15 minutes; transmission of position reports, 
1 second; and annual maintenance, 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,780.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $544,194 in operations and 
maintenance 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.

    Dated: January 6, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E9-276 Filed 1-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P