[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19525-19526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09374]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Western and 
Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Vessel Information Family of Forms

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 July 2, 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 Rini Ghosh, 808-725-5033 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued regulations 
under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention 
Implementation Act (WCPFCIA; 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) to carry out the 
obligations of the United States under the Convention on the 
Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the 
Western and Central

[[Page 19526]]

Pacific Ocean (Convention), including implementing the decisions of the 
Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish 
Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC or Commission). 
The regulations include requirements for the owners or operators of 
U.S. vessels to: (1) Apply for and obtain a WCPFC Area Endorsement if 
the vessel is used for fishing for highly migratory species on the high 
seas in the Convention Area (50 CFR 300.212), (2) complete and submit a 
Foreign Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Form if the vessel is used for 
fishing for highly migratory species in the Convention Area in areas 
under the jurisdiction of any nation other than the United States (50 
CFR 300.213), and (3) request and obtain an IMO number if the vessel is 
used for fishing for highly migratory species on the high seas or in 
areas under the jurisdiction of any nation other than the United States 
(50 CFR 300.217(c)). An IMO number is the unique number issued for a 
vessel under the ship identification number scheme established by the 
International Maritime Organization or, for vessels that are not 
strictly subject to that scheme, the unique number issued by the 
administrator of that scheme using the scheme's numbering format, 
sometimes known as a Lloyd's Register number or LR number.
    The application for WCPFC Area Endorsements calls for specified 
information about the vessel and its operator that is not already 
collected via the application for high seas fishing permits issued 
under 50 CFR 300.333. The Foreign EEZ Form calls for specified 
information about the vessel, its owners and operators and any fishing 
authorizations issued by other nations. The information required to 
obtain an IMO number is not submitted to NMFS directly, but to a third 
party and serves to ensure that IMO numbers are issued for certain 
categories of vessels.
    This information collected under the three requirements is used by 
NOAA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Commission to monitor the size and 
composition of the HMS fleets in the Convention Area for compliance-
related and scientific purposes and to ensure that IMO numbers are 
issued for certain categories of vessels.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents must submit some of the information by mail or in 
person via paper forms, and have a choice of submitting some of the 
information electronically, by mail, or in person.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0595.
    Form Number(s): 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: 55.
    Estimated Time per Response: WCPFC Area Endorsement Application, 60 
minutes; Foreign EEZ Form, 90 minutes; IMO number application, 30 
minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 58.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,465 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: April 30, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-09374 Filed 5-2-18; 8:45 am]
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