[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 941-942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00121]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Marine Recreational Information Program, Fishing Effort Survey

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

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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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 March 8, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0652 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 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Rob Andrews, Fishery Biologist, 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.
    The proposed collection will include experimental work to evaluate 
non-sampling errors in recreational fishing surveys. Specifically, the 
revision will include three mail survey questionnaires designed to 
evaluate measurement error in the reporting of saltwater fishing effort 
and possession of a saltwater fishing license.

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 (revision of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 113,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,417 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, 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

[[Page 942]]

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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2022-00121 Filed 1-6-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P