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[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 89 (Friday, May 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 25446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12246]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Survey of Intent and Capacity to Harvest and Process Fish and 
Shellfish (Northwest Region)

ACTION: Proposed Collection; Comment Request.

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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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 7, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to William L. Robinson, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE, Seattle, WA 98112, 206-526-6140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Preseason survey information collected from the groundfish industry 
helps provide (1) the capacity and extent to which U.S. fishing vessels 
will annually harvest the optimum yield specified for a fishery; (2) 
the portion of that optimum yield which will not be harvested by U.S. 
fishing vessels, and can therefore be made available to foreign 
vessels; and (3) the capacity and extent to which U.S. fish processors 
can annually process that portion of the optimum yield that will be 
harvested by U.S. vessels.
    Pacific whiting, the species most often available to foreign and 
joint venture operations in the past, recently has become fully 
``Americanized'' (processed by U.S. processors only). However, 
Americanization of other species is not assured, and therefore the need 
for the survey continues. In addition, there has been an increased need 
to determine the intent and capacity of segments of the domestic 
industry, particularly with respect to resource allocation among user 
groups. Therefore, the survey continues to be an appropriate and 
important tool to assist in groundfish management.

II. Method of Collection

    The survey consists of a written data collection instrument for 
U.S. fish processors, and U.S. fishers of groundfish off the coasts of 
Washington, Oregon, and California. The survey form will be returned to 
NMFS (NWR) by mail, fax, electronic mail, or in person.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0243.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit (owners or operators 
of vessels that catch or process fish in ocean waters 0-200 nautical 
miles offshore Washington, Oregon, and California).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 60.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no capital expenditures 
required).

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: May 4, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-12246 Filed 5-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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