[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6784-6785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2936]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Scientific 
Research, Exempted Fishing, and Exempted Activity Submissions

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 April 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, 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 Jason Blackburn, (301) 427-8555 or 
[email protected];.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for revision and extension of a current information 
collection. Fishery regulations do not generally affect scientific 
research activities conducted by a scientific research vessel. Persons 
planning to conduct such research are encouraged to submit a scientific 
research plan to ensure that the activities are considered research and 
not fishing. The researchers are requested to submit reports of their 
scientific research activity after its completion. The National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) may also grant exemptions from fishery 
regulations for educational or other activities (e.g., using non-
regulation gear). The applications for these exemptions must be 
submitted, as well as reports on activities.
    Revision: Eligible researchers on board federally permitted fishing 
vessels that plan to temporarily possess fish in a manner not compliant 
with applicable fishing regulations for the purpose of collecting 
scientific data on catch may submit a request for a temporary 
possession letter of authorization. The researchers are requested to 
submit reports of their scientific research activity after its 
completion.

II. Method of Collection

    Information may be submitted on paper or electronically, and in 
some cases by telephone.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0309.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision and extension of a 
current information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households; not for profit organizations; state, local 
or tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 129.
    Estimated Time per Response: Scientific research plans, 37 hours; 
scientific research reports, 3 hours; exempted fishing permit requests, 
56 hours; exempted fishing permit reports, 15 hours; exempted 
educational requests, 4 hours; exempted educational reports, 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,073.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $387.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information

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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: February 3, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-2936 Filed 2-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P