[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10434-10435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04730]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Scientific 
Research, Exempted Fishing, and Exempted Activity Submissions

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 May 8, 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 Jason Blackburn, (301) 427-8555 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Fishery regulations do not generally affect scientific research 
activities

[[Page 10435]]

conducted by a scientific research vessel. Persons planning to conduct 
such research are encouraged to submit a scientific research plan to 
ensure that the activities are considered research and not fishing. The 
researchers are requested to submit reports of their scientific 
research activity after its completion. Eligible researchers on board 
federally permitted fishing vessels that plan to temporarily possess 
fish in a manner not compliant with applicable fishing regulations for 
the purpose of collecting scientific data on catch may submit a request 
for a temporary possession letter of authorization. The researchers are 
requested to submit reports of their scientific research activity after 
its completion. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) may also 
grant exemptions from fishery regulations for educational or other 
activities (e.g., using non-regulation gear). The applications for 
these exemptions must be submitted, as well as reports on activities.

II. Method of Collection

    Information may be submitted on paper or electronically, and in 
some cases by telephone.

II. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0309.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; individuals or 
households; not for profit organizations; state, local or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 121.
    Estimated Time per Response: Scientific research plans, 13 hours; 
scientific research reports, 6 hours; exempted fishing permit requests; 
10 hours, exempted fishing permit reports, 4.5 hours; exempted 
educational requests, 5 hours; exempted educational reports, 2.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,141.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $382.36 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: March 6, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-04730 Filed 3-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P