Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 24 / Monday, February 7, 2005 / Notices 6419

DATES: Written comments must be 

submitted on or before April 8, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments 

to Diana Hynek, Departmental 

Paperwork Clearance Officer, 

Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 

14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, 

Washington, DC 20230 (or via the 

Internet at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or 

copies of the information collection 

instrument and instructions should be 

directed to Helen Bass at (301)713–

3155, ext. 175 (or via Internet at 

helen.bass@noaa.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

NOAA’s regulations at 15 CFR 970 

govern the issuing and monitoring of 

exploration licenses under the Deep 

Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. 

Persons seeking a license must submit 

certain information that allows NOAA 

to ensure the applicant meets the 

standards of the Act. Persons with 

licenses are required to conduct 

monitoring and reports, and they may 

request revisions to or transfers of 

licenses.

II. Method of Collection

Paper submissions are used, however 

applicants are encouraged to submit 

supporting documentation 

electronically when feasible.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648–0145.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2.

Estimated Time Per Response: 2,000-

4,000 hours per application (no 

applications are expected) and 20 hours 

per report.

Estimated Total Annual Burden 

Hours: 40.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to 

Public: $150.

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 28, 2005.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief 

Information Officer.

[FR Doc. 05–2290 Filed 2–4–05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–08–S

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration

[I.D. 020205B]

Proposed Information Collection; 

Comment Request; Highly Migratory 

Species Vessel Logbooks and CostEarnings Data Reports

AGENCY: National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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 a 

proposed and continuing information 

collection, as required by the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be 

submitted on or before April 8, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments 

to Diana Hynek, Departmental 

Paperwork Clearance Officer, 

Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 

14th and Constitution Avenue NW, 

Washington DC 20230 (or via the 

Internet at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or 

copies of the information collection 

instrument and instructions should be 

directed to Joseph Desfosse, Highly 

Migratory Species Management Division 

(F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 

NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 

Spring, MD 20910 (phone 301–713–

2347).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I.Abstract

Under the provisions of the 

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act (16 

U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration’s National Marine 

Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible 

for management of the Nation’s marine 

fisheries. In addition, NMFS must 

comply with the United States’

obligations under the Atlantic Tunas 

Convention Act of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971 

et seq.). NMFS collects information via 

vessel logbooks to monitor the U.S. 

catch of Atlantic swordfish, sharks, 

marlins, and tunas in relation to the 

quotas, thereby ensuring that the United 

States complies with its domestic and 

international obligations. The 

information supplied through vessel 

logbooks also provides the catch and 

effort data necessary to assess the status 

of highly migratory species and to 

evaluate bycatch in each fishery. 

International stock assessments for 

tunas, swordfish, marlins, and some 

species of sharks are conducted and 

presented to the International 

Commission for the Conservation of 

Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) periodically 

and provide, in part, the basis for ICCAT 

management recommendations which 

become binding on member nations. 

Domestic stock assessments for most 

species of sharks are used as the basis 

of managing these species. 

Supplementary information on fishing 

costs and earnings has been collected 

via this vessel logbook program. This 

economic information enables NMFS to 

assess the economic impacts of 

regulatory programs on small businesses 

and fishing communities, consistent 

with NEPA, Executive Order 12866, the 

Regulatory Flexibility Act, and other 

domestic law.

II.Method of Collection

Currently, log books are being 

completed and submitted in paper form.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648–0371.

Form Number: NOAA Form 88-191.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations (vessel owners).

Estimated Number of Respondents:

7,635.

Estimated Time Per Response: 10 

minutes for cost/earnings summaries 

attached to logbook reports; 12 minutes 

for logbook catch reports; and 2 minutes 

for negative logbook catch reports.

Estimated Total Annual Burden 

Hours: 30,378.

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 

6420 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 24 / Monday, February 7, 2005 / Notices 

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 28, 2005.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief 

Information Officer.

[FR Doc. 05–2291 Filed 2–4–05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration

[I.D. 020205C]

Proposed Information Collection; 

Comment Request; Atlantic Highly 

Migratory Species Vessel and Gear 

Marking

AGENCY: National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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 

collection, as required by the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be 

submitted on or before April 8, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments 

to Diana Hynek, Departmental 

Paperwork Clearance Officer, 

Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 

14th and Constitution Avenue NW, 

Washington DC 20230 (or via the 

Internet at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or 

copies of the information collection 

instrument and instructions should be 

directed to Michael Clark, Highly 

Migratory Species Management Division 

(F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 

NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 

Spring, MD 20910 (phone 301–713–

2347).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Under current regulations at 50 CFR 

part 635.6, fishing vessels permitted for 

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 

(HMS) must display their official vessel 

numbers on their vessels. Flotation 

devices attached to certain fishing gear 

must also be marked with the vessel’s 

number to identify catch that is buoyed. 

These requirements are necessary for 

law enforcement and monitoring 

purposes.Specifically, all vessels 

owners that hold a valid HMS permit, 

other than an HMS angling permit, are 

required to mark their vessels with their 

vessel identification number. The 

numbers should be permanently affixed 

to, or painted on the port and starboard 

sides of the deckhouse or hull and on 

an appropriate weather deck, so as to be 

clearly visible from an enforcement 

vessel or aircraft. Furthermore, 

fishermen that use longline gear must 

mark high-flyers and terminal buoys 

with their vessel identification number. 

Gillnet fishermen must also mark their 

terminal buoys, and handgear or 

harpoon fishermen must mark all buoys 

attached to their gear with their vessel 

identification number.

II. Method of Collection

There is no form or information 

collected under this requirement. 

Official vessel numbers issued to vessel 

operators are marked on the vessel and 

on flotation gear, if applicable.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648–0373.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations (vessel owners); and 

Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 

8,700 vessels for vessel identification 

marking; and 24,064 permit holders for 

gear marking.

Estimated Time Per Response: 45 

minutes/year to mark a vessel; and 15 

minutes/year to mark a float.

Estimated Total Annual Burden 

Hours: 6,525 hours for vessel 

identification marking; and 6,877 hours 

for gear marking.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to 

Public: $304,500.

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 the burden (including 

hours and cost) of the proposed 

collection of information; ) 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 28, 2005.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief 

Information Officer.

[FR Doc. 05–2293 Filed 2–4–05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration

[I.D. 020205D]

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; 

General Provisions for Domestic 

Fisheries; Application for Exempted 

Fishing Permits (EFPs)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notification of a proposal for 

EFPs to conduct experimental fishing; 

request for comments.

SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional 

Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, 

Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant 

Regional Administrator) has made a 

preliminary determination that the 

subject EFP application contains all the 

required information and warrants 

further consideration. The Assistant 

Regional Administrator has also made a 

preliminary determination that the 

activities authorized under the EFP 

would be consistent with the goals and 

objectives of the Northeast (NE) 

Multispecies Fishery Management Plan 

(FMP). However, further review and 

consultation may be necessary before a 

final determination is made to issue the 

EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that 

the Assistant Regional Administrator 

proposes to recommend that an EFP be 

issued that would allow one vessel to 

conduct fishing operations that are 

otherwise restricted by the regulations