[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 38110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09881]


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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; Socio-Economic Survey of Hired Captains and Crew in New 
England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico Commercial 
Fisheries

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 July 8, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0636 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 Dr. Matthew J. Cutler, Social Scientist, NOAA/Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center, 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543, (508-495-4731), 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension to an approved collection. This 
collection is currently approved for implementation in the New England, 
Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions by NOAA 
National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center's 
Social Sciences Branch (NEFSC-SSB) and Southeast Fisheries Science 
Center Social Science Research Group (SEFSC-SSRG). The NEFSC and SEFSC 
seek to conduct surveys to provide for the ongoing collection of social 
and economic data related to the fishing industries in those states. 
The purpose of this survey is to assess and track over time the social 
and economic conditions of commercial fishing crews and hired captains 
for which little is known. This survey will provide data on social and 
economic impacts for this population and the changes in fisheries 
because of regulatory changes. Data to be collected include demographic 
information on crew, individual and community well-being, fishing 
practices, job satisfaction, job opportunities, and attitudes toward 
fisheries management.
    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Magnuson-Stevens 
Conservation and Management Act (MSA) both contain requirements for 
considering the social and economic impacts of fishery management 
decisions. There is a need to understand how such fishery management 
policies and programs will affect the social and economic 
characteristics of those involved in the commercial fishing industry. 
To help meet these requirements of NEPA and MSA, the NEFSC and SEFSC 
will collect data on an ongoing basis to track how socio-economic 
characteristics of fisheries are changing over time and the impact of 
fishery management policies and programs implemented in New England, 
Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions.

II. Method of Collection

    This information will be collected through in-person intercept 
interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0636.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission [extension of a current 
information collection].
    Affected Public: Individuals, households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 924.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 231 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: MSA and NEPA.

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. 2024-09881 Filed 5-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P