[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 217 (Monday, November 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 52284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24469]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Monitoring 
Programs for Vessels in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

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 January 12, 
2018.

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 the West Coast Regional Office--7600 Sand Point Way NE., 
Seattle, WA 98115, Keeley Kent, telephone number ((206) 526-4655), or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    In 2011, NMFS mandated observer requirements for the West Coast 
groundfish trawl catch shares program. For all fishery sectors, 
observers must be obtained through third-party observer provider 
companies operating under permits issued by NMFS. The regulations at 
Sec. Sec.  660.140 (h), 660.150 (j), 660.160 (g), specify observer 
coverage requirements for trawl vessels and define the responsibilities 
for observer providers, including reporting requirements. Regulations 
at Sec.  660.140 (i) specify requirements for catch monitor coverage 
for first receivers. Data collected by observers are used by NMFS to 
estimate total landed catch and discards, monitor the attainment of 
annual groundfish allocations, estimate catch rates of prohibited 
species, and as a component in stock assessments. These data are 
necessary to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements to 
prevent overfishing. In addition, observer data is used to assess 
fishing related mortality of protected and endangered species.

II. Method of Collection

    This collection utilizes both electronic and paper forms, depending 
on the specific item. Methods of submittal include email of electronic 
forms, and mail and facsimile transmission of paper forms. 
Additionally, this collection utilizes interviews for some information 
collection and phone calls for transmission of other information.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0500.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (extension of a current information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 268 (5 providers (supplying a 
total of 75 observers or catch monitors) and 263 fishing vessels).
    Estimated Time per Response: For providers: 15 minutes for observer 
training/briefing/debriefing registration, notification of observer 
physical examination, observer status reports, other reports on 
observer harassment, safety concerns, or performance problems, catch 
monitor status reports, and other catch monitor reports on harassment, 
prohibited actions, illness or injury, or performance problems; 5 
minutes for observer safety checklist submission to NMFS, observer 
provider contracts, observer information materials, catch monitor 
provider contracts, and catch monitor informational materials; 10 
minutes for certificate of insurance; 7 minutes for catch monitor 
training/briefing registration, notification of catch monitor physical 
examination, and catch monitor debriefing registration. For vessels: 10 
minutes for fishing departure reports and cease-fishing reports.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 525 (305 for providers and 220 
for fishing vessels).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in capital costs as it is 
assumed that each of the 5 observer/catch monitor providers will 
maintain a computer system with email capacity for general business 
purposes and that each vessel owner/operator has access to a telephone 
for toll-free calls.

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: November 7, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-24469 Filed 11-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P