[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 53104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21623]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine 
Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort 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 December 3, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Adrienne Thomas, PRA Officer, 
NOAA, 151 Patton Avenue, Room 159, Asheville, NC 28801 (or at 
[email protected]). All comments received are part of the public 
record. Comments will generally be posted without change. All 
Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) 
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do 
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Rob Andrews, NOAA Fisheries, Office of Science and 
Technology, 301-427-8105, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Marine recreational anglers are surveyed to collect catch and 
effort data, fish biology data, and angler socioeconomic 
characteristics. These data are required to carry out provisions of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.), as amended, regarding conservation and management of 
fishery resources.
    Marine recreational fishing catch and effort data are collected 
through a combination of mail surveys, telephone surveys and on-site 
intercept surveys with recreational anglers. The Marine Recreational 
Information Program (MRIP) Fishing Effort Survey (FES) is a self-
administered, household mail survey that samples from a residential 
address frame to collect data on the number of recreational anglers and 
the number of recreational fishing trips. The survey estimates marine 
recreational fishing activity for all coastal states from Maine through 
Mississippi, as well as Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
    FES estimates are combined with estimates derived from 
complementary surveys of fishing trips, the Access-Point Angler 
Intercept Survey, to estimate total, state-level fishing catch, by 
species. These estimates are used in the development, implementation, 
and monitoring of fishery management programs by NOAA Fisheries, 
regional fishery management councils, interstate marine fisheries 
commissions, and state fishery agencies.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected through self-administered mail 
surveys.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0652.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 125,791.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10,826 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2019-21623 Filed 10-3-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P