[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52637-52638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21530]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast 
Region Vessel Identification Requirements

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 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 October 24, 
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 Rich Malinowski, (727) 824-5305 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Region 
manages the United States fisheries of the exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) off the South Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico under the 
Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for each Region. The Regional Fishery 
Management Councils prepared the FMPs pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The regulations 
implementing the FMPs that have reporting requirements are at 50 CFR 
part 622.
    The recordkeeping and reporting requirements at 50 CFR part 622 
form the basis for this collection of information. NMFS Southeast 
Region requires that all permitted fishing vessels must mark their 
vessel with the official identification number or some form of 
identification. A vessel's official number, under most regulations, is 
required to be displayed on the port and starboard sides of the 
deckhouse or hull, and weather deck. The official number and color code 
identifies each vessel and should be visible at distances at sea and in 
the air. These markings provide law enforcement personnel with a means 
to monitor fishing, at-sea processing, and other related activities, to 
ascertain whether the vessel's observed activities are in accordance 
with those authorized for that vessel. The identifying number is used 
by NMFS, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and other marine agencies 
in issuing violations, prosecutions, and other enforcement actions. 
Vessels that qualify for particular fisheries are readily identified, 
gear violations are more readily prosecuted, and this allows for more 
cost-effective enforcement.

II. Method of Collection

    Numbers are painted directly on the vessels.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0358.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 9,774.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,331 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $293,220.

[[Page 52638]]

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: August 18, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-21530 Filed 8-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P