[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 60672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24413]



[[Page 60672]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35).
    Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
    Title: Southeast Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Related 
Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 0648-0544.
    Form Number(s): NA.
    Type of Request: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Number of Respondents: 905.
    Average Hours per Response: Installation/activation checklist, 15 
minutes; power down exemption request, 5 minutes; fishing activity 
report, 1 minute. Annual maintenance is 2 hours, but not counted as a 
response.
    Burden Hours: 2,383.
    Needs and Uses: This request is for extension of the current 
information collection.
    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 FMP 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.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Frequency: Annually, one time and on occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    OMB Desk Officer: [email protected].
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0336, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to [email protected].

    Dated: September 28, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-24413 Filed 10-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P