[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 12, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61039-61040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24582]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast 
Region Gulf of Mexico Mandatory Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization 
Survey

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 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 by January 13, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Adrienne Thomas, PRA Officer, 
NOAA, 151 Patton Avenue, Room 159, Asheville, NC 28801 (or via the 
internet 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 Adam Bailey, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 263 13th 
Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, telephone: 727-824-8305, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for the renewal of a current information 
collection.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

[[Page 61040]]

(Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council (Council) to prepare and amend fishery management plans (FMPs) 
for any fishery in Federal waters under its jurisdiction. NMFS and the 
Council manage the commercial shrimp fishery in Federal waters of the 
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) under the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf.
    Owners or operators of vessels applying for or renewing a 
commercial vessel permit for the Gulf shrimp fishery must complete an 
annual Gulf Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization Form. NMFS provides 
the form to each permit holder in January each year, and the form is 
due to NMFS prior to the submission of a permit application for renewal 
or transfer. Compliance with this reporting requirement is required for 
permit issuance and renewal. The regulations for the Gulf Shrimp Vessel 
and Gear Characterization Form may be found at 50 CFR 622.51(a)(3).
    Through this form, NMFS collects census-level information on 
fishing vessel and gear characteristics in the Gulf shrimp fishery to 
conduct analyses that will improve management decision-making in this 
fishery. In addition, these analyses ensure that national goals, 
objectives, and requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, National 
Environmental Policy Act, Regulatory Flexibility Act, Endangered 
Species Act, and Executive Order 12866 are met; and quantify 
achievement of the performance measures in the NMFS' Operating Plans. 
This information is vital in assessing the economic, social, and 
environmental effects of fishery management decisions and regulations 
on individual shrimp fishing enterprises, fishing communities, and the 
nation as a whole.
    There have been minor adjustments to responses and burden. As of 
August 29, 2019, there are approximately 1,410 vessels with valid or 
renewable permits in the Gulf shrimp fishery. The slightly fewer number 
of vessels has resulted in adjusted estimates of total burden hours and 
costs as noted below in Section III.

II. Method of Collection

    NMFS mails a paper copy of the form to respondents and also 
provides a pre-paid business reply envelope for permit applicants to 
submit the form. Permit applicants must complete and mail the form back 
to NMFS before a permit expires and before NMFS will issue or transfer 
a permit.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0542.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission--extension of a current 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,410.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 470.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping or 
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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2019-24582 Filed 11-8-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P