[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 142 (Monday, July 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43487-43488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18205]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Vessel 
Monitoring System Requirements in Western Pacific Pelagic and 
Bottomfish Fisheries

AGENCY:  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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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 collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 24, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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

    This request is for a revision of a currently approved information 
collection. As part of fishery management plans developed under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (MSA), owners of commercial fishing vessels in the Hawaii pelagic 
longline fishery, American Samoa pelagic longline fishery (only vessels 
longer than 50 feet), and Northern Mariana Islands bottomfish fishery 
(only vessels longer than 40 feet) must allow the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to install vessel monitoring system 
(VMS) units on their vessels when directed to do so by NOAA enforcement 
personnel. VMS units automatically send periodic reports on the 
position of the vessel. NOAA uses the reports to monitor the vessel's 
location and activities, primarily to enforce regulated fishing areas. 
NOAA pays for the units and messaging. There is no public burden for 
the automatic messaging; however, VMS installation and annual 
maintenance are considered public burden.
    This request combines three OMB approved collections for VMS 
requirements, OMB Control No. 0648-0441 (Vessel Monitoring System 
Requirements in the Western Pacific Pelagic Longline Fishery), OMB 
Control No. 0648-0519 (Vessel Monitoring System Requirement for 
American Samoa Pelagic Longline Fishery), and the VMS requirement from 
OMB Control No. 0648-0584 (Permitting, Vessel Identification and Vessel 
Monitoring System Requirements for the Commercial Bottomfish Fishery in 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), into one collection 
(OMB Control No. 0648-0441).

II. Method of Collection

    Automatic.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0441.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 209.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4 hours for installation or 
replacement of a VMS unit; 2 hours for annual maintenance.
    Frequency: Annually and on occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 478 (estimated 15 
installations per year).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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.


[[Page 43488]]


    Dated: July 21, 2010.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-18205 Filed 7-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P