[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 126 (Monday, July 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42697-42698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14089]


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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; West Coast Region Highly Migratory Species Vessel 
Identification Requirements

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 September 1, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0361 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 Karen Palmigiano, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), West 
Coast Region (WCR) Sand Point Office, 7600 Sand Point Way--Building 1, 
Seattle, WA 98115, (562) 980-4238 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection. The success of fisheries management programs depends 
significantly on tracking catch and effort of participants as well as 
their history of regulatory compliance. The vessel identification 
requirement is essential to facilitate these objectives. The ability to 
link fishing or other activity to the vessel owner or operator is 
crucial to enforcement of the regulations issued under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to govern 
domestic and foreign fishing, and under authority of laws implementing 
international treaties.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 660.704 require that all commercial fishing 
vessels with permits issued under authority of the National Marine 
Fishery Service's (NMFS) Fishery Management Plan for United States 
(U.S.) West Coast Highly Migratory Species Fisheries display the 
vessel's official number (U.S. Coast Guard documentation number or 
State registration number). The numbers must be of a specific size and 
format and located at specified locations. The official number must be 
affixed to each vessel subject to this section in block Arabic numerals 
at least 10 inches (25.40 centimeters) in height for vessels more than 
25 feet (7.62 meters) but equal to or less than 65 feet (19.81 meters) 
in length; and 18 inches (45.72 centimeters) in height for vessels 
longer than 65 feet (19.81 meters) in length. Markings must be legible 
and of a color that contrasts with the background. The display of the 
identifying number aids in fishery law enforcement.
    In the domestic West Coast Region fisheries regulated under 50 CFR 
part 660, the vessel's official number, United States Coast Guard 
(USCG) documentation or State registration number is required to be 
displayed on the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and 
on an appropriate weather deck. The number identifies each vessel and 
should be visible at distances at sea and in the air. The requirements 
affect United States (U.S.) vessels participating in the West Coast 
Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fisheries and West Coast coastal pelagic 
species fishing vessels, with the exception of HMS Recreational Charter 
Vessels for which an exemption was granted and became effective 
September 5, 2007. Charter vessels are no longer

[[Page 42698]]

bound by the vessel marking requirements under consideration.
    The identification number provides law enforcement personnel with a 
means to monitor fishing, at-sea processing, and other related 
activities, in order to ascertain whether the vessel's observed 
activities are in accordance with those authorized for that vessel. The 
identifying number is used by NMFS, the USCG, and other marine agencies 
in issuing citations, prosecutions, and other enforcement actions. 
Vessels that qualify for specific fisheries are easily identified, and 
this allows for more cost-effective enforcement. Cooperating fishermen 
also use this number to report suspicious activities that they observe. 
Regulation-compliant fishermen ultimately benefit as unauthorized and 
illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is deterred and more 
burdensome regulations may be avoided.

II. Method of Collection

    The vessels' official numbers are displayed on the vessels.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0361.
    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: Non-purse seine respondents: 
1,680; Purse seine respondents: 20.
    Estimated Time per Response: All but purse seine vessels: 45 
minutes; purse seine fishing vessels of 400 short tons (362.8 metric 
tons (mt)) or greater carrying capacity; 1 hour and 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,290 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $80.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act.

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 required 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 Information Collection Request (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 Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2023-14089 Filed 6-30-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P