[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60440-60441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18916]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Vessel 
Monitoring System Requirements for the Pacific Islands Fisheries

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 comment on proposed and/or continuing 
information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written or on-line comments must be 
submitted on or before October 31, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0441 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, Fishery Information Specialist, 1845 
Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818; (808) 725-5175; or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
Fisheries, Pacific Islands Region, and the NOAA Office of Law 
Enforcement (OLE), Pacific Islands Division, collect vessel tracking 
information through a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). The authority for 
this collection is specified at 50 CFR 665.19.
    As part of fishery ecosystem 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

[[Page 60441]]

Northern Mariana Islands bottomfish fishery (only vessels longer than 
40 feet) must allow NOAA to install VMS units on their vessels when 
directed by OLE personnel. VMS units automatically send periodic 
reports on the position of the vessel to OLE. NOAA uses the reports to 
monitor the vessel's location and activities, primarily to enforce 
regulated fishing areas. NOAA pays for all costs related to the VMS 
systems for the aforementioned fisheries. There is no public burden for 
the automatic messaging; however, VMS installation and maintenance are 
considered public burden.
    Aside from updates to the burden estimates, there are no changes to 
the collection.

II. Method of Collection

    Automatic electronic submission via satellite.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0441.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 69.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4 hours for installation of a VMS 
unit; 2 hours for VMS unit replacement, and 1.5 hours for annual 
maintenance.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 131.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in VMS system 
installation and maintenance, recordkeeping, or reporting costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: 50 CFR 665.19.

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 Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2023-18916 Filed 8-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P