[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 91 (Thursday, May 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39589-39590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10168]


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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; Southeast Region Vessel and Gear Identification Requirements

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comments.

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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 the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB).

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received by 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 0648-0358 in the subject line of your 
comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will 
generally be posted on https://www.regulations.gov without change. 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 Adam Bailey, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries 
Division, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, telephone: 
727-824-5305, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    NMFS proposes to extend the information collection under OMB 
Control Number 0648-0358 without change. The NMFS Southeast Region 
manages domestic fisheries in the U.S. exclusive economic zone of the 
Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic regions under multiple 
fishery management plans (FMPs). The regional fishery management 
councils prepared the FMPs pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). NMFS implements 
the FMPs through regulations located at 50 CFR part 622.
    The regulations located at 50 CFR part 622 form the basis for the 
information collection requirements that are currently approved under 
OMB Control Number 0648-0358, Southeast Region Vessel and Gear 
Identification Requirements. NMFS has no immediate plans to change 
identification requirements for fishing vessels or gear in 50 CFR part 
622.
    Regulations at 50 CFR part 622 require that all federally permitted 
fishing vessels must be marked with some form of identification. A 
vessel's official number, under most regulations, must be displayed on 
the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on the 
weather deck. In addition, regulations for certain fisheries also 
require the display of the assigned color code for the vessel. The 
official number and color code identify each vessel and

[[Page 39590]]

should be visible at distance from the sea and in the air. These 
markings provide law enforcement personnel with a means to monitor 
fishing, at-sea processing, and other related activities, and to 
determine whether observed activities on the vessel are in accordance 
with those authorized for that vessel. NMFS, the United States Coast 
Guard, and other marine agencies use the identifying official number in 
monitoring compliance, issuing violations, prosecutions, and other 
enforcement actions. Vessels that are authorized for particular 
fisheries are readily identified and gear violations are more readily 
prosecuted, thereby enabling for more cost-effective enforcement.
    In addition to vessel marking, requirements that fishing gear be 
marked are essential to facilitate enforcement. The ability to link 
fishing gear to the vessel owner is crucial to enforcement of 
regulations issued under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The 
marking of fishing gear is also valuable in actions concerning damage, 
loss, and civil proceedings. The requirements imposed on U.S. fisheries 
in the southeast region apply to aquacultured live rock; golden crab 
traps; spiny lobster traps and buoys; black sea bass pots, buoys, and 
buoy lines; Spanish mackerel gillnet buoys; and buoy gear.

II. Method of Collection

    Markings, such as numbers, are placed directly on fishing vessels 
and gear.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0358.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission--extension of a current 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,031.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Vessel marking: 75 minutes. Gear 
marking: aquacultured live rocks, 10 seconds each; golden crab traps, 2 
minutes each; spiny lobster traps and buoys, 7 minutes each; black sea 
bass pots, buoys, and buoy lines, 16 minutes each; and Spanish mackerel 
gillnet buoys, 20 minutes each; and buoy gear, 10 minutes each.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 40,335.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $544,752 in recordkeeping 
and reporting costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments 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 review. 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. 2024-10168 Filed 5-8-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P