[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87752-87753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27861]


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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; Pacific Islands Region Vessel and Gear Identification 
Requirements

AGENCY: National Oceanic and 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 February 20, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0360 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 Walter Ikehara, Fishery Information Specialist, National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Region, 1845 Wasp Blvd., 
Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI, 96818, (808) 725-5175, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) established the Western Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Council), to develop fishery ecosystem plans (FEP) 
for fisheries in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and high seas 
of the Pacific Islands Region. These plans, when approved by the 
Secretary of Commerce, are implemented in Federal regulations by NMFS 
and enforced by NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) and the U.S. 
Coast Guard (USCG), in cooperation with state and territorial agencies. 
The FEPs and Federal regulations are intended to prevent overfishing 
and to ensure the long-term productivity and social and economic 
benefit of the resources.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 665.16, 300.35, and 300.217 require that all 
U.S. vessels with Federal permits that fish for western Pacific fishery 
management unit species must display identification markings on the 
vessel. Each Vessel registered for use, with a permit issued under 
Subparts B through E and Subparts G through I of 50 CFR 665, must have 
the vessel's official number displayed on both sides of the deckhouse 
or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck. Regulations at 50 CFR 
300.35 require that each vessel fishing under the South Pacific Tuna 
Treaty, must display its international radio call sign on the hull, the 
deck, and on the sides of auxiliary equipment, such as skiffs and 
helicopters. Vessels registered for use with a permit issued under 
Subpart F of 50 CFR 665 and vessels fishing for highly migratory 
species in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) 
Convention Area under Subpart O of 50 CFR 300, and in international 
waters under Subpart R of 50 CFR 300, must comply with the regulations 
at 50 CFR 300.217 and 50 CFR 300.336 requiring the display of the 
vessel's international radio call sign on both sides of the deckhouse 
or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck, unless specifically 
exempted. In each case, the vessel's identifying numbers must be a 
specific size and in specified locations. The display of the 
identifying numbers aids in fishery law enforcement.
    The regulations at 50 CFR 665.128, 665.228, 665.428, 665.628, and 
665.804 require that certain fishing gear must be marked. In the 
pelagic longline fisheries, the vessel operator must ensure that the 
official number of the vessel is affixed to every longline buoy and 
float. In the coral reef ecosystem fisheries, the vessel number must be 
affixed to all fish and crab traps. The marking of gear links fishing 
or other activities to the vessel, aids law enforcement, and helps in 
determining damage to or loss of gear from the vessel, as well as any 
civil proceedings.

II. Method of Collection

    The vessel owner or crew paints the identification markings on each 
vessel

[[Page 87753]]

and associated equipment and gear. NMFS collects no other information.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0360.
    Form Number(s): 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: 324.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1.25 hours per purse seine vessel and 
0.75 hours per other fishery vessel for vessel ID marking. 0.083 hours 
per gear marking.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,337.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $89,473.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: 50 CFR 665, 50 CFR 300.

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 Information Collection Request. 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. 2023-27861 Filed 12-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P