[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30085-30086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12141]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pacific Islands 
Region Vessel and Gear Identification 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 July 28, 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 Walter Ikehara, (808) 725-5175, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Regulations at 50 CFR 665.16 require that all U.S. vessels with 
Federal permits fishing for Western Pacific fishery management unit 
species display identification markings on the vessel and gear, as 
specified in 50 CFR part 665 and 50 CFR part 300. Vessels registered 
for use with a permit issued under Subparts B through E and Subparts G 
through I of 50 CFR part 665, must display the vessel's official number 
on both sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather 
deck. Vessels fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Convention 
(WCPFC) Area with a WCPFC Area Endorsement, or required to have a WCPFC 
Area Endorsement, must comply with the regulations at 50 CFR 300.14 and 
50 CFR 300.217. These regulations require that vessels must display 
their international radio call sign on both sides of the deckhouse or 
hull, and on an appropriate weather deck, unless specifically exempted. 
Regulations at 50 CFR 300.35 require that vessels fishing under the 
South Pacific Tuna Treaty must display their international radio call 
sign on the hull, the deck, and on the sides of auxiliary equipment 
such as skiffs and helicopters. The numbers must be a specific size at 
specified locations. The display of the identifying numbers aids in 
fishery law enforcement.
    Western Pacific fisheries regulations at 50 CFR 665.128, 665.228, 
665.428, 665,628 and 665.804 require that certain fishing gear must be 
marked. In the pelagic longline fisheries, the vessel operator must 
ensure that the official

[[Page 30086]]

number of the vessel is affixed to every longline buoy and float. In 
the coral reef ecosystem fisheries, the vessel number must be affixed 
to all fish and crab traps. The marking of gear links fishing or other 
activity to the vessel, aids law enforcement, and is valuable in 
actions concerning the damage, loss of gear, and civil proceedings.

II. Method of Collection

    Third party disclosure.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0360.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 344.
    Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes per Pacific Islands fishing 
vessel; one hour and 15 minutes per South Pacific purse seine vessel; 5 
minutes per gear marking.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,352.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $51,600.

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: May 21, 2014.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-12141 Filed 5-23-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P