[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 44867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19089]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
    Title: Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Vessel 
Information Family of Forms.
    OMB Control Number: 0648-0595.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Request: Regular (extension of a currently approved 
information collection).
    Number of Respondents: 55.
    Average Hours per Response: WCPFC Area Endorsement Application, 60 
minutes; Foreign EEZ Form, 90 minutes; IMO number application, 30 
minutes.
    Burden Hours: 58.
    Needs and Uses: 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 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.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Frequency: One time and every five years.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    This information collection request may be viewed at reginfo.gov. 
Follow the instructions to view Department of Commerce collections 
currently under review by OMB.
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to [email protected] or fax to (202) 395-5806.

    Dated: August 28, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-19089 Filed 8-31-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P