[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 64 (Thursday, April 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18557-18558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06921]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Revised Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey 
To Collect Economic Data From Recreational Anglers Along the Atlantic 
Coast

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 June 1, 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 Scott Steinback, Economist, Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center, 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543. Tel: (508) 495-4701 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for a revision to a currently approved information 
collection.
    The objective of the original data collection effort under OMB 
Control Number 0648-0783 was to assess how changes in saltwater 
recreational fishing regulations affect angler effort, angler welfare, 
fishing mortality, and future stock levels. That data collection effort 
focused on anglers who fished for Atlantic cod and haddock off the 
Atlantic coast from Maine to Massachusetts. Under this revised 
information collection request, the objective remains the same, but a 
new survey will be added with the focus on anglers who fish for summer 
flounder and black sea bass along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts 
to North Carolina.
    Data collected from this survey will improve our ability to 
understand and predict how changes in management options and 
regulations may change fishing mortality and the number of trips 
anglers take for summer flounder and black sea bass. This data will 
allow fisheries managers to conduct updated and improved analysis of 
the socio-economic effects to recreational anglers and to coastal 
communities of proposed changes in fishing regulations. The 
recreational fishing community and regional fisheries management 
councils have requested more species-specific socio-economic studies of 
recreational fishing that can be used in the analysis of fisheries 
policies. This survey will address that stated need for more species-
specific studies. The population consists of those anglers who fish in 
saltwater along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to North Carolina 
and who possess a license to fish. A sample of anglers will be drawn 
from state fishing license frames. The survey will be conducted using 
both mail and email to contact anglers and invite them to take the 
survey online. Anglers not responding to the online survey may receive 
a paper survey in the mail.

II. Method of Collection

    The survey will be conducted using two modes: Mail and internet.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0783.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (revision of a currently approved 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.

[[Page 18558]]

    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 500 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 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 30, 2020.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-06921 Filed 4-1-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P