[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 110 (Thursday, June 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48397-48398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12446]


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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; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Vessel 
Information 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 August 5, 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- 0595 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.

[[Page 48398]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Katrina Poremba, Fishery Policy Analyst, NOAA Fisheries, 1845 Wasp 
Blvd., Bldg. #176 Honolulu, HI 96818, (808) 725-5096, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has 
issued regulations under authority of the Western and Central Pacific 
Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFCIA; 16 U.S.C. 6901 et 
seq.) to carry out the obligations of the United States under the 
Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish 
Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention), including 
implementing the decisions of the Commission for the Conservation and 
Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central 
Pacific Ocean (WCPFC or Commission). The regulations include 
requirements for the owners or operators of U.S. vessels to: (1) apply 
for and obtain a WCPFC Area Endorsement if the vessel is used for 
fishing for highly migratory species on the high seas in the Convention 
Area (50 CFR 300.212), (2) complete and submit a Foreign Exclusive 
Economic Zone (EEZ) Form if the vessel is used for fishing for highly 
migratory species in the Convention Area in areas under the 
jurisdiction of any nation other than the United States (50 CFR 
300.213), and (3) request and obtain an IMO number if the vessel is 
used for fishing for highly migratory species on the high seas or in 
areas under the jurisdiction of any nation other than the United States 
(50 CFR 300.217(c)). An IMO number is the unique number issued for a 
vessel under the ship identification number scheme established by the 
International Maritime Organization or, for vessels that are not 
strictly subject to that scheme, the unique number issued by the 
administrator of that scheme using the scheme's numbering format, 
sometimes known as a Lloyd's Register number or LR number.
    The application for WCPFC Area Endorsements calls for specified 
information about the vessel and its operator that is not already 
collected via the application for high seas fishing permits issued 
under 50 CFR 300.333. The Foreign EEZ Form calls for specified 
information about the vessel, its owners and operators and any fishing 
authorizations issued by other nations. The information required to 
obtain an IMO number is not submitted to NMFS directly, but to a third 
party and serves to ensure that IMO numbers are issued for certain 
categories of vessels. This information collected under the three 
requirements is used by NOAA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Commission 
to monitor the size and composition of the HMS fleets in the Convention 
Area for compliance-related and scientific purposes and to ensure that 
IMO numbers are issued for certain categories of vessels.

II. Method of Collection

    All information is to be submitted in hard copy via mail or through 
electronic reporting.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0595.
    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: 44.
    Estimated Time per response: WCPFC Area Endorsement Application: 60 
minutes; Foreign EEZ Form: 90 minutes; IMO number application: 30 
minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 43
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $3,048.60
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: WCPFCIA; 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.

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. 2024-12446 Filed 6-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P