[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 216 (Thursday, November 8, 2007)] [Notices] [Pages 63164-63165] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: E7-21945] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southwest Region Gear Identification Requirements AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information [[Page 63165]] collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 7, 2008. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [email protected]). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Walter Ikehara, (808) 944-2275, or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Pacific Islands Region portion of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 0648-0361 will be merged into OMB Control Number 0648-0360, and the title will be changed to Pacific Islands Region Vessel and Gear Identification Requirements. Regulations at 50 CFR 665.16 require that all U.S. vessels with Federal permits fishing for Western Pacific fishery management unit species display the vessel's official number on both sides of the deckhouse or hull and on an appropriate weather deck. The regulations at 50 CFR 300.35 require that vessels fishing under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty must display their international radio call sign on the hull, the deck, and on the sides of auxiliary equipment such as skiffs and helicopters. The numbers must be a specific size at specified locations. The display of the identifying numbers aids in fishery law enforcement. Western Pacific fisheries regulations at 50 CFR 665.24, 665.47 and 665.606 require that certain fishing gear must be marked. In the pelagic longline fisheries, the vessel operator must ensure that the official number of the vessel is affixed to every longline buoy and float. In the crustacean fisheries (Permit Area 1, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) each trap and float must be marked with the vessel's identification number. In the coral reef ecosystem fisheries, the vessel number must be affixed to all fish and crab traps. The marking of gear links fishing or other activity to the vessel, aids law enforcement, and is valuable in actions concerning the damage, loss of gear, and civil proceedings. II. Method of Collection Third party disclosure. III. Data OMB Number: 0648-0360. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 311. Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes per Western Pacific fishing vessel; one hour and 15 minutes per South Pacific purse seine vessel; 2 minutes per gear marking. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,148. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $34,210. IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: November 1, 2007. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E7-21945 Filed 11-7-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P