[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 89 (Thursday, May 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 27210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09768]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Vessel 
Monitoring System Requirements in Western Pacific Fisheries

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before July 6, 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]). Please reference OMB Control Number 
06xx-xxxx in the subject line of your comments. 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 Walter Ikehara, (808) 725-5175 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    As part of fishery management plans developed under the authority 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, owners 
of commercial fishing vessels in the Hawaii pelagic longline fishery, 
American Samoa pelagic longline fishery (only vessels longer than 50 
feet), Northwestern Hawaiian Islands lobster fishery (currently 
inactive), and Northern Mariana Islands bottomfish fishery (only 
vessels longer than 40 feet) must allow the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to install vessel monitoring system 
(VMS) units on their vessels when directed to do so by NOAA enforcement 
personnel. VMS units automatically send periodic reports on the 
position of the vessel. NOAA uses the reports to monitor the vessel's 
location and activities, primarily to enforce regulated fishing areas. 
NOAA pays for the units and messaging. There is no public burden for 
the automatic messaging; VMS installation, annual maintenance and 
operating (connection) costs for Hawaii longline vessels are paid for 
by NOAA Fisheries.

II. Method of Collection

    Automatic electronic submission.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0441.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (Extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 209.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4 hours for installation or 
replacement of a VMS unit; 2 hours for annual maintenance.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 478 (estimated 15 
installations per year).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in VMS system 
installation and maintenance, recordkeeping, or reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to: (a) 
Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for 
the proper functions of the agency, including whether the information 
will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate 
of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to 
respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: May 4, 2020.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-09768 Filed 5-6-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P