[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58286-58287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23018]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Western Region 
Vessel Monitoring System and Pre-Trip Reporting Requirements

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 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 November 22, 
2013.

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 Craig Heberer, (760) 805-5984 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a current information collection.
    Owners of vessels that fish out of West Coast ports for highly 
migratory species such as tuna, billfish, and sharks are required to 
submit information about their intended and actual fishing activities. 
These submissions would allow the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) and the Pacific Fishery

[[Page 58287]]

Management Council to monitor the fisheries and determine the effects 
and effectiveness of the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for U.S. West 
Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS). Pre-trip reporting 
requirements are essential for effectively and efficiently assigning 
available observer coverage to selected HMS vessels. Data collected by 
observers are critical to evaluating if the objectives of the FMP are 
being achieved and for evaluating the impacts of potential changes in 
management to respond to new information or new problems in the 
fisheries. Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) units will facilitate 
enforcement of closures associated with HMS fisheries and provide 
timely information on associated fleet activities.

II. Method of Collection

    VMS activation information is submitted electronically and pre-trip 
notifications are made by telephone.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0498.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 80.
    Estimated Time per Response: Vessel monitoring system (VMS) 
activation reports, 15 minutes; pre-trip reports, 5 minutes.
    Estimated Burden Hours: 60.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $480 (VMS units and 
reporting are paid for by NMFS).

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: September 18, 2013.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-23018 Filed 9-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P