[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 193 (Monday, October 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60140-60141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23714]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast 
Region Vessel 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

[[Page 60141]]

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 December 5, 
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 Adam Bailey, (727) 209-5968 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Region 
manages the U.S. fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the 
South Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico regions under various 
Fishery Management Plans (FMPs). The Regional Fishery Management 
Councils prepared the FMPs pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act. The regulations implementing the FMPs 
are located at 50 CFR part 622.
    The recordkeeping and reporting requirements at 50 CFR part 622 
form the basis for this collection of information. NMFS Southeast 
Region requires that all permitted fishing vessels must mark their 
vessel with the official identification number or some form of 
identification. A vessel's official number, under most regulations, is 
required to be displayed on the port and starboard sides of the 
deckhouse or hull, and weather deck. The official number and color code 
identifies each vessel and should be visible at distances from the sea 
and in the air. These markings provide law enforcement personnel with a 
means to monitor fishing, at-sea processing, and other related 
activities, to ascertain whether the vessel's observed activities are 
in accordance with those authorized for that vessel. The identifying 
number is used by NMFS, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and other 
marine agencies in issuing violations, prosecutions, and other 
enforcement actions. Vessels that qualify for particular fisheries are 
readily identified, gear violations are more readily prosecuted, and 
this allows for more cost-effective enforcement.

II. Method of Collection

    Numbers are painted directly on the vessels.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0358.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,825.
    Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,869.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $234,750.

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 approval by the Office of Management 
and Budget for this information collection; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: September 30, 2014.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-23714 Filed 10-3-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P