Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; West Coast Region Vessel Identification Requirements

Federal Register, Volume 79 Issue 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 2014)

Federal Register Volume 79, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 2014)

Notices

Pages 75129-75130

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2014-29474

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration

Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; West Coast Region Vessel Identification Requirements

AGENCY: National Ocean 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 collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 17, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at JJessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Colby Brady, (206) 526-7117 or colby.brady@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Abstract

   The success of fisheries management programs depends significantly on regulatory compliance. The vessel identification requirement is essential to facilitate enforcement. The ability to link fishing (or other activity) to the vessel owner or operator is crucial to enforcement of regulations issued under the authority of the Magnuson-

   Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. A vessel's official number is required to be displayed on the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on a weather deck. It identifies each vessel and should be visible at distances at sea and in the air. Law enforcement personnel rely on vessel marking information to assure compliance with fisheries management regulations. Vessels that qualify for particular fisheries are also readily identified, and this allows for more cost-effective enforcement. Cooperating fishermen also use the vessel numbers to report suspicious or non-compliant activities that they observe in unauthorized areas. The identifying number on fishing

   Page 75130

   vessels is used by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and other marine agencies in issuing regulations, prosecutions, and other enforcement actions necessary to support sustainable fisheries behaviors as intended in regulations. Regulation-compliant fishermen ultimately benefit from these requirements, as unauthorized and illegal fishing is deterred and more burdensome regulations are avoided.

2. Method of Collection

   Fishing vessel owners physically mark vessels with identification numbers in three locations per vessel.

3. Data

   OMB Control Number: 0648-0355.

   Form Number(s): None.

   Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved information collection).

   Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

   Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,125.

   Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes per marking.

   Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 69 hours.

   Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $19,106 for materials.

4. 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 and whether the information shall have practical utility) 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: December 11, 2014.

   Glenna Mickelson,

   Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.

   FR Doc. 2014-29474 Filed 12-16-14; 8:45 am

   BILLING CODE 3510-22-P