[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 83 (Friday, April 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23993-23994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10394]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska 
Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs) for Pacific Halibut and Sablefish

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice (renewal of a currently approved information 
collection).

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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 June 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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

    This request is for renewal of a currently approved information 
collection.
    The Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) 
Program was developed to reduce fishing capacity that had increased 
during years of management as an open access fishery, while maintaining 
the social and economic character of the fixed gear fishery that is 
relied on as a source of revenue for coastal communities in Alaska. The 
Halibut and Sablefish IFQ Program provides economic stability for the 
commercial hook-and-line fishery while reducing many of the 
conservation and management problems commonly associated with open 
access. The IFQ Program for sablefish and Pacific halibut fixed gear 
provides each fisherman a catch quota that can be used any time during 
the open season. Individual shares are intended to allow fishermen to 
set their own pace and adjust their fishing effort. The IFQ Program is 
intended to reduce the premium that was traditionally placed on speed, 
allowing fishermen to pay more attention to efficiency and product 
quality. The IFQ Program consists of three parts: IFQ halibut and 
sablefish, Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) halibut, 
and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) IFQ community quota share. This action is a 
request for renewal 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: 0648-0272.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (renewal of a currently approved 
collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,478.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours for Eligibility to Receive QS/
IFQ Application; 30 minutes for IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit 
Application; 30 minutes for IFQ/CDQ Registered Buyer Permit 
Application; 30 minutes for Application for Replacement of 
Certificates, Permits, or Licenses Application; 200 hours for 
Application to Become a Community Quota Entity (CQE); 10 hours for 
Community Petition to Form Governing Body; 2 hours for Transfer of QS/
IFQ Application; 2 hours for Transfer of QS/IFQ by Sweep-up 
Application; 2 hours for Transfer of QS/IFQ to or from a CQE 
Application; 30 minutes for Approval of Transfer from Governing Body; 2 
hours for QS Holder--Identification of Ownership Interest; 40 hours for 
CQE Annual Report; 4 hours for Letter of Appeal; 30 minutes for QS/IFQ 
Beneficiary Designation Form; 30 minutes for Annual Updates on the 
Status of Corporations and Partnerships QS; 6 minutes for IFQ 
Administrative Waiver; 12 minutes for Prior Notice of IFQ Landing; 15 
minutes for Departure Report; 12 minutes for Transshipment 
Authorization; and 6 minutes for Dockside Sales Receipt; 18 minutes for 
Electronic Landing Report; 18 minutes for Manual Landing Report; 2 
hours for Military Transfer; 4 hours for Military Transfer Appeal; 2 
hours for Emergency Medical Transfer; and 4 hours for Emergency Medical 
Transfer.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,388.

[[Page 23994]]

    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $38,776 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.

    Dated: April 26, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-10394 Filed 4-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P