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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 14 (Monday, January 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6877-6878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-01472]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Socio-Economic Survey of Hired Captains and Crew in New 
England and Mid-Atlantic Commercial Fisheries

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

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before March 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0636 in the subject line of your 
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise 
sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Lisa L. Colburn, Social Scientist, NOAA/Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center, (401-782-3253), [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a revision to an approved collection. This 
collection is currently approved for implementation in New England and 
the Mid-Atlantic regions by NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center's Social Sciences Branch (NEFSC-
SSB). The NEFSC-SSB, in collaboration with the Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center Social Science Research Group (SEFSC-SSRG), requests a 
revision to expand the geographic scope of the survey to include South 
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions, an associated collection title 
change (``Socio-Economic Survey of Hired Captains and Crew in New 
England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Commercial 
Fisheries''), and to make minor revisions to the survey form that 
address regional differences in fisheries. The NEFSC and SEFSC seek to 
conduct surveys to provide for the ongoing collection of social and 
economic data related to the fishing industries in those states. The 
purpose of this survey is to assess and track over time the social and 
economic conditions of commercial fishing crews and hired captains for 
which little is known. This survey will provide data on social and 
economic impacts for this population and the changes in fisheries as a 
result of regulatory changes. Data to be collected include demographic 
information on crew, wage calculations systems, individual and 
community well-being, fishing practices, job satisfaction, job 
opportunities, and attitudes toward fisheries management. The National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and 
Management Act (MSA) both contain requirements for considering the 
social and economic impacts of fishery management decisions. There is a 
need to understand how such fishery management policies and programs 
will affect the social and economic characteristics of those involved 
in the commercial fishing industry. To help meet these requirements of 
NEPA and MSA, the NEFSC and SEFSC will collect data on an ongoing basis 
to track how socio-economic characteristics of fisheries are changing 
over time and the impact of fishery management policies and programs 
implemented in New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf of 
Mexico regions.

II. Method of Collection

    This information will be collected through in-person intercept 
interviews and telephone.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0636.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (revision of a previously approved 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals, households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 946.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.

[[Page 6878]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 236.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: NEPA and MSA.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2021-01472 Filed 1-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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