[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47618-47619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19213]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commercial 
Fishing Vessel Cost and Earnings Data Collection Survey in the 
Northeast Region

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 October 14, 
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 Tammy Murphy, (508) 495-2137 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for revision and extension of an existing 
information collection.
    Economic data on the costs of operating commercial fishing 
businesses are needed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
to meet the legislative requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, 
Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The Social 
Sciences Branch (SSB) of the NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center 
(NEFSC) is responsible for estimating the economic and social impacts 
of fishery management actions.
    Lack of information on fixed (non-trip related) costs, crew 
payments and operating (trip) costs have severely limited the ability 
of the SSB to assess fishermen's behavioral responses to changes in 
regulations, fishing conditions, and market conditions. Maintaining an 
ongoing, consistent, data collection program will enable the SSB to 
provide a level of analysis that meets the needs of the New England 
Fishery Management Council, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
and NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, to make informed 
decisions about the expected economic effects of proposed management 
alternatives.
    Revision: We will begin conducting this survey every three years 
rather than annually, to reduce respondent burden and fatigue. In the 
next iteration, to be mailed in early 2016, half the population will 
receive a survey for costs incurred in 2015. In early 2017, the 
remaining half will receive a survey for costs incurred in 2016.

II. Method of Collection

    Vessel owners will be given the option of completing the survey 
online or by mail.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0643.
    Form Number: Not Applicable.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision and extension of an 
existing information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 630.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 630.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

[[Page 47619]]

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: August 8, 2014.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-19213 Filed 8-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P