[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 140 (Friday, July 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 34551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15474]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey To 
Collect Economic Data From Recreational Anglers Along the Atlantic 
Coast

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

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 18, 
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 [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Sabrina Lovell, Economist, Office of Science and 
Technology, NMFS, 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Tel: 
(301) 427-8153 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection.
    The objective of the survey will be to understand how anglers 
respond to changes in management options and fishing regulations (e.g., 
bag limits, size limits, dates of open seasons, etc.) along the 
Atlantic Coast. We are conducting this survey to improve our ability to 
understand and predict how changes in management options and 
regulations may change the number of trips anglers take for highly 
sought after recreational fish species. This data will allow fisheries 
managers to conduct updated and improved analysis of the socio-economic 
effects to recreational anglers and to coastal communities of proposed 
changes in fishing regulations. The recreational fishing community and 
regional fisheries management councils have requested more species-
specific socio-economic studies of recreational fishing that can be 
used in the analysis of fisheries policies. This survey will address 
that stated need for more species-specific studies. The population 
consists of those anglers who fish in saltwater along the Atlantic 
coast from Maine to Florida who possess a license to fish. A sample of 
anglers will be drawn from state fishing license frames. The survey 
will be conducted using both mail and email to contact anglers and 
invite them to take the survey online. Anglers not responding to the 
online survey may receive a paper survey in the mail.

II. Method of Collection

    The survey will be conducted using two modes: Mail and internet.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (request for a new information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,800.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 450 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 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: July 16, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-15474 Filed 7-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P