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###### Department of Commerce

###### National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration

# AGENCY:

National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, 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 March 12, 2018.

# 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                         *pracomments@doc.gov*).                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Paul Marx, (301) 427.8771 or                         *Paul.Marx@noaa.gov*.                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. Abstract

This request is for an extension of a current information collection.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) established programs to reduce excess fishing capacity by paying fishermen to surrender their vessels/permits. These fishing capacity reduction programs, or buybacks, are conducted pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. 109-479). The buybacks can be funded by a Federal loan to the industry or by direct Federal or other funding. Buyback regulations are at 50 CFR part 600.

The information collected by NMFS involves the submission of buyback requests by industry, submission of bids, referenda of fishery participants and reporting of collection of fees to repay buyback loans. For buybacks involving State-managed fisheries, the State may be involved in developing the buyback plan and complying with other information requirements. NMFS requests information from participating buyback participants to track repayments of the loans as well as ensure accurate management and monitoring of the loans. The recordkeeping and reporting requirements at 50 CFR parts 600.1013 through 600.1017 form the basis for the collection of information.

## II. Method of Collection

                    Paper reports or electronic reports are required from buyback participants. Methods of submittal include mailing of paper reports, electronic submission via the internet, and/or facsimile transmission.                          ( print page 1339)    

## III. Data

*OMB Control Number:*                     0648-0376.                

*Form Number(s):*                     None.                

*Type of Review:*                     Regular submission (extension of a current information collection).                

*Affected Public:*                     Business or other for-profit organizations; individuals or households; and state, local, or tribal government.                

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     1,000.                

*Estimated Time per Response:*                     Implementation plan, 6,634 hours; referenda votes, bids, seller/buyer reports and annual fee collection reports, 4 hours each; completion of fish ticket, 10 minutes; monthly fee collection report, 2 hours; advising holder/owner of conflict with accepted bidders' representations, 1 hour; potentially 270 hours-state approval/review of plans.                

*Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:*                     15,838.                

*Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public:*                     $1,596 in recordkeeping/reporting costs.                

## 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: January 5, 2018.

Sarah Brabson,

NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 2018-00310 Filed 1-10-18; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P