[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 204 (Wednesday, October 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63087-63088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25047]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Catcher 
Processor Socio-Cultural Study

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
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 December 22, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 66165, 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 Amber Himes-Cornell, (206) 526-4221 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection.
    Historically, changes in fisheries management regulations have been 
shown to result in impacts to individuals within the fishery. An 
understanding of social impacts in fisheries--achieved through the 
collection of data on fishing communities, as well as on individuals 
who fish--is a requirement under several federal laws. Laws such as the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Magnuson- Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) (as amended 2007) 
describe such requirements. The collection of this data not only helps 
to inform legal requirements for the existing management actions, but 
will inform future management actions requiring equivalent information.
    Fisheries rationalization programs have an impact on those 
individuals participating in the affected fishery, as well as their 
communities and may also have indirect effects on other fishery 
participants. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is 
considering the implementation of a new, yet to be defined, 
rationalization program for the Gulf of Alaska groundfish trawl 
fishery. A data collection was conducted in 2014 (OMB Control No. 0648-
0685) to obtain relevant socio-cultural information about current 
participants in most sectors of this fishery.
    The proposed data collection complements this 2014 effort by 
collecting comparable information from individuals participating in the 
catcher processor fleet that operates in the North Pacific. The data 
collected will be used to develop a baseline description of the catcher 
processor sector operating in the North Pacific that can be used to 
analyze impacts that future fisheries management changes, such as the 
new bycatch management changes being

[[Page 63088]]

developed for the Gulf of Alaska trawl fishery, may have on catcher 
processor businesses, as well as individuals and communities that are 
dependent on this sector. The measurement of these changes, combined 
with those noted in the 2014 survey, will lead to a greater 
understanding of the social impacts new management measures may have on 
the individuals and communities.

II. Method of Collection

    Data collection will be undertaken through the use of a survey 
instrument. Data will be collected using a mixed method approach 
through a combination of paper surveys, electronic surveys, and in-
person interviews to obtain the greatest breadth of information as 
possible.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for a new information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 435.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20-30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 160 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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: October 16, 2014.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-25047 Filed 10-21-14; 8:45 am]
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