[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69515-69516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24194]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast 
Region Gulf of Mexico Mandatory Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization 
Survey

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 by 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 Adam Bailey, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 263 13th Ave 
S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 824-8305, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a current information collection.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council (Council) to prepare and amend fishery management plans (FMPs) 
for any fishery in Federal waters under its jurisdiction. NMFS and the 
Council manage the shrimp fishery in the Federal waters of the Gulf of 
Mexico (Gulf) under the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf. The 
regulations for the Gulf Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization Form 
may be found at 50 CFR 622.51(a)(3).
    Owners or operators of vessels applying for or renewing a 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp must complete an annual Gulf 
Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization Form. NMFS provides the form at 
the time of permit application and renewal. Compliance with this 
reporting requirement is required for permit issuance and renewal.
    Through this form, NMFS collects census-level information on 
fishing vessel and gear characteristics in the Gulf shrimp fishery to 
conduct analyses that will improve management decision-making in this 
fishery. In addition, these analyses ensure that national goals, 
objectives, and requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, National 
Environmental Policy Act, Regulatory Flexibility Act, Endangered 
Species Act, and Executive Order 12866 are met; and quantify 
achievement of the performance measures in the NMFS' Operating Plans. 
This information is vital in assessing the economic, social, and 
environmental effects of fishery management decisions and regulations 
on individual shrimp fishing enterprises, fishing communities, and the 
nation as a whole.
    There have been minor adjustments to responses and burden. As of 
August 26, 2016, there are approximately 1,445 vessels with valid or 
renewable permits in the Gulf shrimp fishery. The slightly fewer number 
of vessels has resulted in adjusted estimates of total burden hours and 
costs as noted below in Section III.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents are mailed hard copies of the form. Permit applicants 
must complete and mail the form back to

[[Page 69516]]

NMFS before permits expire and before NMFS will issue permits.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0542.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission--renewal of a current 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,445.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 482.
    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 3, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-24194 Filed 10-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P