[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 36998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14987]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Mandatory 
Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization Survey

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a current information collection.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) 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 shrimp fishery in the waters of the Gulf of 
Mexico under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The regulations 
for the Gulf Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization Form may be found 
at 50 CFR 622.5(a)(1)(iii)(C).
    Owners or operators of vessels applying for or renewing a 
commercial vessel moratorium permit for Gulf shrimp must complete an 
annual Gulf Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization Form. The form will 
be provided by NMFS at the time of permit application and renewal. 
Compliance with this reporting requirement is required for permit 
issuance and renewal.
    Through this form, NMFS is collecting census-level information on 
fishing vessel and gear characteristics in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive 
Economic Zone (EEZ) shrimp fishery to conduct analyses that will 
improve fishery management decision-making in this fishery; ensure that 
national goals, objectives, and requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Executive Order (E.O.) 
12866 are met; and quantify achievement of the performance measures in 
the NMFS' Operating Plans. This information is vital in assessing the 
economic, social, and environmental effects of fishery management 
decisions and regulations on individual shrimp fishing enterprises, 
fishing communities, and the nation as a whole.
    The burden estimates for this information collection have changed 
due to adjustments. Currently, there are approximately 1,563 permitted 
vessels in the Gulf shrimp fishery--fewer vessels than in the previous 
renewal.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents are mailed hard copies of the form. The forms must be 
completed and mailed back to NMFS before their permits expire.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0542.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,563.
    Estimated Time per Response: Reports, 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 521.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 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. 2012-14987 Filed 6-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P