[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68110-68111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21845]


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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; Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms

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 December 4, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0206 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 Gabrielle Aberle, National Marine Fisheries Service, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK, 99802-1668. Telephone 907-586-7356.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), Alaska Region, is 
requesting extension of a currently approved information collection for 
the applications for the Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP), the Federal 
Processor Permit (FPP), and the Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP).
    NMFS requires an FFP for U.S. vessels that are used to fish for 
groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska or Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. An 
FFP is also required for vessels used to fish for any non-groundfish 
species and that are required to retain any bycatch of groundfish under 
50 CFR 679.4(b). An FPP is required for stationary floating processors 
(processing vessels that operate solely within Alaska State waters) and 
is required for shoreside processors that receive and/or process 
groundfish harvested from Federal waters or from any federally 
permitted vessels. NMFS issues an EFP to allow groundfish fishing 
activities that would otherwise be prohibited under regulations for 
groundfish fishing. EFPs are issued to support projects that could 
benefit the groundfish fisheries and the environment and result in 
gathering information not otherwise available through research or 
commercial fishing operations. Regulations governing these permits are 
at 50 CFR 600.745, 679.4, and 679.6.
    Section 303(b)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act specifically recognizes the need for permit issuance. 
Requiring a permit for marine resource users--mandated by 50 CFR 
679.4(b), 679.4(f); 679.6; and 600.745(b)--is one of the regulatory 
steps taken to carry out conservation and management objectives. Permit 
issuance is essential in fishery resources management for 
identification of the participants and expected activity levels and for 
regulatory compliance. The information requested on the FFP, FPP, and 
EFP applications is used for fisheries management and regulatory 
compliance by NMFS Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS Restricted 
Access Management Program, NMFS Observer Program, NOAA Office of Law 
Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the North Pacific Fisheries 
Management Council.
    The type of information collected on the FFP application includes 
permit holder identification information, vessel information, permit 
information, and species endorsements. Information collected on the FPP 
application includes processor identification information, stationary 
floating processor or community quota entity vessel information, and 
vessel ownership information. An EFP application includes information 
on the applicant and a description of the project design including how 
it will vary from current fishing regulations, the species affected and 
targeted, when and where the fishing will take place, the vessel that 
will be used, and a provision for public release of all obtained 
information.

II. Method of Collection

    The FFP and FPP application forms are available as fillable pdfs on 
the NMFS Alaska Region website and are

[[Page 68111]]

submitted by mail, delivery, or fax. An FPP may be renewed online 
through eFISH on the NMFS Alaska Region website. There is no form to 
apply for an EFP. Applicants submit the required information by mail, 
delivery, email, or fax.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0206.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 484.
    Estimated Time per Response: Application for Federal Fisheries 
Permit: 21 minutes; Application for Federal Processor Permit: 25 
minutes; Exempted Fisheries Permit application: 100 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 474 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,420 in recordkeeping and 
reporting costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits, 
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 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. 2023-21845 Filed 10-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P