[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69517-69518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24193]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Statement of 
Financial Interests, Regional Fishery Management Councils

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 5, 
2016.

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 Brian Fredieu, (301) 427-8505 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for revision and extension of a current information 
collection. The Magnuson-Stevens

[[Page 69518]]

Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Stevens Act) 
authorizes the establishment of Regional Fishery Management Councils to 
exercise sound judgment in the stewardship of fishery resources through 
the preparation, monitoring, and revision of such fishery management 
plans under circumstances (a) which will enable the States, the fishing 
industry, consumers, environmental organizations, and other interested 
persons to participate in the development of such plans, and (b) which 
take into account the social and economic needs of fishermen and 
dependent communities.
    Section 302(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that Council 
members appointed by the Secretary, Scientific and Statistical 
Committee (SSC) members appointed by a Council under Section 302(g)(1), 
or individuals nominated by the Governor of a State for possible 
appointment as a Council member, disclose their financial interest in 
any Council fishery. These interests include harvesting, processing, 
lobbying, advocacy, or marketing activity that is being, or will be, 
undertaken within any fishery over which the Council concerned has 
jurisdiction, or with respect to an individual or organization with a 
financial interest in such activity. The authority to require this 
information and reporting and filing requirements has not changed. 
Revision: NOAA Fisheries is in the process of conducting minor 
revisions to the form by adding clearer instructions and clarifying 
some of the questions asked to ensure the questions are consistent with 
the regulatory requirements. Revisions will also include a specific 
check box to indicate that a Council nominee, and not a member, is 
completing the form.
    The Secretary is required to submit an annual report to Congress on 
action taken by the Secretary and the Councils to implement the 
disclosure of financial interest and recusal requirements, including 
identification of any conflict of interest problems with respect to the 
Councils and SSCs and recommendations for addressing any such problems.
    The Act further provides that a member shall not vote on a Council 
decision that would have a significant and predictable effect on a 
financial interest if there is a close causal link between the Council 
decision and an expected and substantially disproportionate benefit to 
the financial interest of the affected individual relative to the 
financial interest of other participants in the same gear type or 
sector of the fishery. However, an affected individual who is declared 
ineligible to vote on a Council action may participate in Council 
deliberations relating to the decision after notifying the Council of 
his/her recusal and identifying the financial interest that would be 
affected.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents submit paper forms. The forms and related instructions 
are available to the public on the Internet and can be completed online 
and printed. Seated Council members appointed by the Secretary, 
including the Tribal Government appointee and SSC members, must file a 
financial interest form within 45 days of taking office and must 
provide updates of their statements at any time any such financial 
interest is acquired, or substantially changed.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0192.
    Form Number: NOAA Form 88-195.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for revision and 
extension of a current information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 330.
    Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 247.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $353.10 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: September 30, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-24193 Filed 10-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P