[Federal Register: May 29, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 103)]
[Notices]               
[Page 32011-32012]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29my03-40]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[I.D. 052303B]

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce has submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for 
collection of information under the provisions of the

[[Page 32012]]

Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
    Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
    Title: Northwest Region Federal Fisheries Permits.
    Form Number(s): None.
    OMB Approval Number: 0648-0203.
    Type of Request: Regular submission.
    Burden Hours: 595.
    Number of Respondents: 708.
    Average Hours Per Response: 20 minutes for a limited entry permit 
renewal or transfer; 60 minutes for an experimental fishery permit 
application; 60 minutes for an experimental fishery permit summary 
report; 10 minutes for an experimental fishery data report; and 2 
minutes for an experimental fishery call-in notification prior to a 
fishing trip.
    Needs and Uses: Two data collections dealing with Federal fishery 
permits affect participants in the groundfish fishery off Washington, 
Oregon, and California (WOC). The two data collections involve: (1) 
Exempted fishing; and (2) limited entry permits for commercial 
fishermen. Exempted (experimental) fishing permits are issued to 
applicants for fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited. 
The information provided by applications allows NMFS to evaluate the 
consequences of the exempted fishing activity and weigh the benefits 
and costs. Permittees are required to file reports on the results of 
the experiments and in some cases individual vessels are required to 
provide minimal data reports. There is also a requirement for a call-in 
notification prior to a fishing trip. This information allows NOAA 
Fisheries to evaluate techniques used and decide if management 
regulations should be changed.
    A Federal permit is also required to commercially catch groundfish, 
and permits are endorsed for one or more of three gear types (trawl, 
longline, and fish pot). Participation in the fishery and access to 
permits have been limited as a way of controlling the overall fleet 
harvest capacity. Limited entry permits must be renewed annually and 
are transferable. Permit owners must fill out renewal forms annually 
and must fill out transfer forms, as needed.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Frequency: Annually, on occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, (202) 395-3897.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
dHynek@doc.gov).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, Room 10202, New Executive Office 
Building, Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: May 21, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-13423 Filed 5-28-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-S