[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 95119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31192]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Greater 
Atlantic Region Gear Identification

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 comment on continuing information 
collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 27, 
2017.

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 [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Cynthia Hanson, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries 
Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; (978) 281-9180, 
or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection. Regulations at 50 CFR 648.84(a),(b), and (d), 
648.123(b)(3), 648.144(b)(1), 648.264(a)(5), and 697.21(a) and (b) 
require that Federal Fisheries permit holders using certain types of 
fishing gear, mark the gear with specified information for the purposes 
of vessel and gear identification (e.g., hull identification number, 
Federal fishing permit number, etc.). The regulations also specify how 
the gear is to be marked for the purposes of visibility (e.g., buoys, 
radar reflectors, etc.).
    The quantity of gear in this collection is distinguished by the 
number of attached end lines associated with each string of hooks, 
pots, or traps. As such, a single Federal permit holder may be 
responsible for marking several strings of a given gear type, or may 
use multiple different gear types that require marking. These gear 
marking requirements aid in fishery law enforcement, make the gear more 
visible to other vessels to aid in navigation, and provide other 
fisherman with information regarding the gear type being used to help 
prevent gear conflicts.

II. Method of Collection

    No information is submitted to the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) as a result of this collection. The vessel's hull 
identification number or other means of identification specified in the 
regulations must be affixed to the buoy or other part of the gear as 
specified in the regulations.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0351.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (extension of a current information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals and households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,339.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 minute per string of gear.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17,848.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $53,390 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: December 21, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-31192 Filed 12-23-16; 8:45 am]
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