[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 16300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06431]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Gathering 
Observational Data on Historical and Current Biological Trends among 
Populations of Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and Blueback Herring (A. 
aestivalis)

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 May 27, 2014.

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 Dan Kircheis, (207) 866-7320 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The purpose of this information collection is to gather historical 
and current population and biological information from commercial and 
recreational harvesters of the two species of river herring; alewife 
(Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback (A. aestivalis). Given that 
commercial and recreational fishermen have a unique and important 
understanding of the long term status of the species for which they are 
fishing, NOAA intends to contact both current and retired recreational 
and commercial harvesters of river herring from Maine to North 
Carolina, to inquire about recent and long-term observations of changes 
in run-timing, abundance, distribution, individual size and species 
composition. Results will be used to assist NOAA in identifying 
observational trends among river herring populations throughout their 
range so as to make more informed decisions with respect to their 
management.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents will be contacted by phone to schedule an interview. 
Interviews will be held either face to face with the respondent or by 
phone.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: N/A
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for a new information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 400.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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: March 19, 2014.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-06431 Filed 3-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P