[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 29 (Monday, February 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9255-9256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02975]


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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; Type-Approval Requirements for Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS)

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 April 14, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0789 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 NOAA, Kelly Spalding, National VMS Program Manager, 1315 East West 
Hwy., Bldg. SSMC3, Rm. 3207, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-427-2300, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection. The current Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at title 50, 
part 600, subpart Q, sets forth the requirements for Enhanced Mobile 
Transceiver Units (EMTUs) to be type-approved by NMFS for use in 
federal fisheries programs. These EMTUs can either be satellite-linked 
systems or cellular-based hardware and software. Respondents for type-
approval of vessel monitoring system (VMS) satellite- or cellular-based 
systems must submit a written type-approval request and electronic 
copies of supporting materials that include certain required 
information. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Law 
Enforcement (OLE) uses the information submitted to assess whether an 
EMTU or EMTU-C meets minimum technical specifications and can be 
approved for use in the NMFS VMS program. The information currently 
required to accompany an application for type-approval of VMS 
satellite-based systems is set forth at 50 CFR 600.1502 through 
600.1507. The information required for type-approval of VMS cellular-
based systems will be substantially similar and identical except where 
specifically indicated (e.g., EMTU-Cs will not be required to report 
the at-sea loss of communications signals, as proposed in 50 CFR 
600.1503(e)(5)).
    Information requested in the type-approval application for EMTU-Cs 
and EMTUs includes the information identified in 50 CFR 600, subpart Q, 
more specifically, 50 CFR 600.1501 through 600.1509. This identified 
information is also embodied in the Type-Approval Matrix form 
(available from NMFS OLE) that can be used by a respondent to more 
easily organize and submit the required information in their type-
approval request to NMFS. The information will include information 
regarding: Characteristics of the EMTU-C or EMTU, Associated entities 
including manufacturer and sellers, Communication functionalities, Data 
formats, Data transmission details, Latency requirements, Messaging 
formats and transmission details, Electronic forms, Data security, 
Customer service, Durability, and Applicant's data handling 
requirements.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected electronically.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0789.
    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: 4.
    Estimated Time per Response: Completion of an initial application: 
80 hours. Changes to an existing type-approval: 8 hours. Response to a 
type-approval revocation: 24 hours. Diagnostic and troubleshooting 
support (as per type-approval): 166 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,458 hours.

[[Page 9256]]

    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $5,200.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
    Legal Authority: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) and regional fishery management councils 
prevent overfishing and requires the collection of reliable data 
essential to the effective conservation, management, and scientific 
understanding of the nation's fishery resources, including vessel 
monitoring systems.

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 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. 2023-02975 Filed 2-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P