[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30723-30724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14950]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Northeast Region Gear Identification Requirements

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 4, 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 Mary M. Tokarcik, Fisheries Management 
Specialist, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, (978) 281-9326.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Under the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et. seq.) NOAA is responsible for 
management of the Nation's marine fisheries. As part of its efforts to 
enforce fishery regulations, NOAA has included in some of those 
regulations requirements that fishing gear be marked. The ability to 
link gear to its owner or operator is essential for enforcement in 
these fisheries, and the identification of gear is also useful in 
actions concerning the damage or loss of gear.
    NOAA has previously received Paperwork Reduction Act clearance for 
all of its gear-marking requirements under one Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) control number, 0648-0305, but for internal management 
reasons NOAA intends that future clearances will be obtained on a 
regional or fishery basis. This notice is for the requirements imposed 
in the Northeast Region for the following: American lobster traps; 
black sea bass traps; scup traps; multispecies fish traps; multispecies 
gill nets; and multispecies longlines.

II. Method of Collection

    Fishermen in selected fisheries must mark their fishing gear. 
American Lobster, black sea bass and scup traps must be marked by a 
number assigned by the Regional Administrator. Multispecies traps, 
longlines and gillnets must be marked with the owner and vessel names 
or the vessel's official number, so that it is visible on the surface 
of the water.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,203.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Each lobster trap will take one minute 
to mark, each multispecies trap, longline and gillnet will take one 
minute to mark, each scup pot will take one minute to mark and each 
black sea bass pot will take one minute to mark.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 24,516 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $367,736.

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 30724]]


    Dated: June 1, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-14950 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P