[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 36487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14852]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Western and 
Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Vessel Information Family of Forms

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 August 20, 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 Tom Graham, 808-944-2219 or [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued regulations 
under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention 
Implementation Act (WCPFCIA; 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) to carry out the 
obligations of the United States under the Convention on the 
Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the 
Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention), including implementing 
the decisions of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of 
Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean 
(Commission). The regulations include requirements for the owners or 
operators of U.S. vessels to: (1) Apply for and obtain a WCPFC Area 
Endorsement if the vessel is used for fishing for highly migratory 
species on the high seas in the Convention Area (50 CFR 300.212), and 
(2) complete and submit a Foreign Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Form if 
the vessel is used for fishing for highly migratory species in the 
Convention Area in areas under the jurisdiction of any nation other 
than the United States (50 CFR 300.213).
    The application for WCPFC Area Endorsements calls for specified 
information about the vessel and its operator that is not already 
collected via the application for high seas fishing permits issued 
under 50 CFR 300.13. The Foreign EEZ Form calls for specified 
information about the vessel, its owners and operators and any fishing 
authorizations issued by other nations.
    This information collected under the two requirements is used by 
NOAA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Commission to monitor the size and 
composition of the HMS fleets in the Convention Area for compliance-
related and scientific purposes.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents must submit some of the information by mail or in 
person via paper forms, and have a choice of submitting some of the 
information electronically, by mail, or in person.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0595.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 63.
    Estimated Time per Response: WCPFC Area Endorsement Application, 60 
minutes; Foreign EEZ Form, 90 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 69.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $63 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: June 14, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-14852 Filed 6-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P