[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 19, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 23390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11566]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NMFS Alaska 
Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program

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 July 20, 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 Patsy A. Bearden, 907-586-7008 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    Under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq)., National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS), Alaska Region, directs a satellite-based vessel 
monitoring program to locate fishing vessels and monitor compliance 
with area restrictions in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Aleutian 
Islands. The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) allows the NMFS Office for 
Law Enforcement to monitor and survey vessels over vast expanses of 
open-water while maintaining the confidentiality of fishing positions.

II. Method of Collection

    Automatic Global Positioning System (GPS) position reporting starts 
after VMS transceiver installation and power activation onboard the 
vessel. The unit is pre-configured and tested for NMFS VMS operations. 
VMS check-in with NMFS, by fax, is required one time from participants 
upon VMS installation on a vessel. Thereafter, submittal is automatic 
by satellite.

III. Data

    OMB Control No: 0648-0445.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,842.
    Estimated Time per Response: 12 minutes for VMS check-in report; 6 
hours for VMS installation; 4 hours for VMS maintenance.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,640.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $858,151.

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: May 13, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-11566 Filed 5-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P