[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16610-16611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6930]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pacific Islands 
Region Vessel and Gear Identification Requirements

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

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 May 23, 2011.

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

    Regulations at 50 CFR 665.16 require that all United States (U.S.) 
vessels with Federal permits fishing for Western Pacific fishery 
management unit species display identification markings on the vessel 
and gear, as specified in 50 CFR 665 and 50 CFR 300. Vessels registered 
for use with a permit issued under Subparts B through E of 50 CFR 665, 
must display the vessel's official number on both sides of the 
deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck. Vessels fishing 
in the Western and Central Pacific Convention (WCPFC) Area with a WCPFC 
Area Endorsement, or required to have a WCPFC Area Endorsement, must 
comply with the regulations at 50 CFR 300.14 and 50 CFR 300.217. These 
regulations require that vessels must display their international radio 
call sign on both sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate 
weather deck, unless specifically exempted. 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 665.128, 665.228, 
665.428, 665.628, and 665.804 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 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 Control Number: 0648-0360.
    Form Number: 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: 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: $35,000.

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;

[[Page 16611]]

they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 18, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-6930 Filed 3-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P