[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 41947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10530]



[[Page 41947]]

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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; Fishery Capacity Reduction Program/Buyback Requests

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 15, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0376 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 Moni Banerjee, Chief, Financial Services Division, NOAA National 
Marine Fisheries Service, (301) 427-8716 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection. The Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) amended the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to provide for 
voluntary reduction of excess fishing capacity through fishing capacity 
reduction (buyback) programs. Excess fishing capacity decreases 
fisheries earnings, complicates fishery management, and imperils 
fishery conservation. The statutory objective of a program is ``to 
obtain the maximum sustained reduction in fishing capacity at the least 
cost and in a minimum period of time.'' Buybacks pay fishermen either 
to: (1) Surrender their fishing permits; or (2) both surrender their 
permits and either scrap their fishing vessels or restrict vessel title 
to prevent fishing. Buybacks can involve either a Federal or State 
fishery. Buybacks can be funded via a long-term loan from the Federal 
government to the fishery (industry-funded buybacks), to be repaid by 
the industry by post-buyback landing fees, or funded from 
appropriations (non-industry funded) or other non-loan sources of 
funds. Programs involving industry-financed loans are authorized by 
section 1111 of title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936.
    NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) established programs 
to reduce excess fishing capacity by paying fishermen to surrender 
their vessels/permits. The information collected by NMFS involves the 
submission of buyback requests by industry, submission of bids, 
referenda of fishery participants and reporting of collection of fees 
to repay buyback loans. For buybacks involving State-managed fisheries, 
the State may be involved in developing the buyback plan and complying 
with other information requirements. NMFS requests information from 
participating buyback participants to track repayments of the loans as 
well as ensure accurate management and monitoring of the loans. The 
fees for recordkeeping and reporting requirements at 50 CFR parts 
600.1013 through 600.1017 form the basis for the collection of 
information.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper reports or electronic reports are required from buyback 
participants. Methods of submittal include mailing of paper reports, 
electronic submission via the internet.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0376.
    Form Number: 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: 200.
    Estimated Time per Response: Implementation plan, 6,634 hours; 
referenda votes, bids, seller/buyer reports and annual fee collection 
reports, 4 hours each; completion of fish ticket, 10 minutes; monthly 
fee collection report, 2 hours; advising holder/owner of conflict with 
accepted bidders' representations, 1 hour; potentially 270 hours-state 
approval/review of plans.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,838.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,596 in recordkeeping/
filing costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits.
    Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Reauthorization 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. 2024-10530 Filed 5-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P