[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4909-4910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02044]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine 
Recreational Information Program Social Network Survey

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 April 3, 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(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Dave Bard, (301) 427-8197 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for new information collection. The title will be 
``Marine Recreational Information Program Social Network Survey.''
    In its 2017 review of NOAA Fisheries' Marine Recreational 
Information Program (MRIP), the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine, also known as the National Academies, 
recommended the program enhance its communications and outreach 
activities, particularly among the recreational fishing community. MRIP 
is taking an objective, research-based approach to doing so. In 2016, 
MRIP conducted a partner and stakeholder needs assessment. In 2018, 
MRIP will undertake a social network survey. This effort will help 
identify relationships, networks, channels, and information flow among 
a target population, in this case the numerous audiences that comprise 
the recreational fishing community. Completing this survey and the 
subsequent analysis will help MRIP more effectively engage with its 
audiences by identifying key influencers and information pathways, and 
identifying the areas of greatest need and greatest opportunity for 
relationship-building.
    A mail survey sample will be drawn from the National Saltwater 
Angler Registry, a database of licensed recreational anglers living in 
the U.S. The information comes mostly from state-based saltwater 
fishing license and registration programs. Questions will explore such 
issues as broad information channels and pathways among recreational 
anglers; understanding of and confidence in recreational data 
collection, estimation, and reporting; confidence in their information 
sources; awareness of the distinctions and connections between 
recreational data collection and recreational fisheries management, 
etc., including regional differences. Data gathered will include angler 
use of and trust in different sources (e.g., other recreational 
anglers, recreational fishing clubs, state management agencies, federal 
management agencies, tackle shops, etc.) and channels (e.g., mass 
media, social media, personal conversations, online message boards, 
fishing club meetings, etc.) of fisheries management information. These 
data will be used to identify key information sources for recreational 
anglers, evaluate regional differences in information sources, and 
evaluate recreational angler confidence in management and data 
collection efforts, thus allowing MRIP to more effectively communicate 
with recreational anglers on data collection issues by focusing 
communications efforts on important network channels.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected through mail surveys.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number:

[[Page 4910]]

    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (new information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,167.
    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: January 29, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-02044 Filed 2-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P