[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46041-46042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21213]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pacific Islands 
Region Vessel and Gear Identification Requirements

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 4, 
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 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 Walter Ikehara, (808) 725-5175 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 665.16 require that all U.S. vessels with 
Federal permits fishing for Western Pacific fishery management unit 
species display identification markings on the vessel and gear, as 
specified in 50 CFR 665 and 50 CFR 300. Vessels registered for use with 
a permit issued under Subparts B through E and Subparts G through I of 
50 CFR 665, must display the vessel's official number on both sides of 
the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck. Vessels 
fishing for highly migratory species in the Western and Central Pacific 
Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Convention Area must comply with the 
regulations at 50 CFR 300.217. These regulations require that vessels 
must display their international radio call sign on both sides of the 
deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck, unless 
specifically exempted. Regulations at 50 CFR 300.35 require that 
vessels fishing under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty must display their 
international radio call sign on the hull, the deck, and on the sides 
of auxiliary equipment such as skiffs and helicopters. The numbers must 
be a specific size at specified locations. The display of the 
identifying numbers aids in fishery law enforcement.
    Western Pacific fisheries regulations at 50 CFR 665.128, 665.228, 
665.428, 665.628 and 665.804 require that certain fishing gear must be 
marked. In the pelagic longline fisheries, the vessel operator must 
ensure that the official number of the vessel is affixed to every 
longline buoy and float. In the coral reef ecosystem fisheries, the 
vessel number must be affixed to all fish and crab traps. The marking 
of gear links fishing

[[Page 46042]]

or other activity to the vessel, aids law enforcement, and is valuable 
in actions concerning the damage, loss of gear, and civil proceedings.

II. Method of Collection

    Third party disclosure

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0360.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, 
individuals, or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 339.
    Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes per Pacific Islands fishing 
vessel; one hour and 15 minutes per South Pacific purse seine vessel; 5 
minutes per gear marking.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,348.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $50,850 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 28, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-21213 Filed 10-2-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P