[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 26513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10738]


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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), 
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 July 3, 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 Anik Clemens, (727) 551-5611 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) 
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 vessel monitoring 
system (VMS) regulations for the Gulf reef fish fishery may be found at 
50 CFR 622.9.
    The Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan 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. 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 significantly aids 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, have changed due to 
adjustments. There are more vessels with VMS onboard and a larger 
number of transfers in which the new permit holder obtains a new 
vessel; therefore, start-up costs (purchase and installation of VMS 
units) will increase.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. 
Methods of submittal include email 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 (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 905.
    Estimated Time per Response: Installation of VMS, 4 hours; 
installation and activation checklist, 15 minutes; power-down exemption 
requests, 5 minutes; transmission of position reports, 1 second; and 
annual maintenance, 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,380.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $911,567 in start-up 
transfer costs, 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: April 30, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-10738 Filed 5-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P