[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 55900-55901] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-27015] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 101299B] Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Vessel Logbooks AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Proposed Collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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)). [[Page 55901]] DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 14, 1999. 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 Christopher Rogers, Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (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.), NOAA is responsible for management of the Nation's marine fisheries. In addition, NOAA must comply with the United States' obligations under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) collects information via vessel logbooks to monitor the U.S. catch of swordfish, sharks and bluefin tuna in relation to the quotas, thereby ensuring that the United States complies with its international obligations to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The information supplied through vessel logbooks also provides the catch and effort data necessary to assess the status of Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) resources. Stock assessments are conducted and presented to ICCAT periodically and provide, in part, the basis for ICCAT management recommendations which become binding on member nations. Supplementary information on fishing costs and earnings has been collected via the HMS vessel logbook program on a voluntary basis. This economic information enables NMFS to assess the economic impacts of regulatory programs on small businesses and fishing communities. Given the need for more representative data and more complete analyses, NMFS proposes to make the cost/earnings summary a mandatory requirement of the HMS logbook program. II. Method of Collection Vessel operators who are issued a limited access permit in the swordfish or shark fisheries are required to complete vessel logbooks for all trips targeting HMS. In addition, selected tuna vessels (10 percent of permitted fleet) will be required to complete logbooks. Under this revised collection, the cost/earnings summary of the logbook would be required for selected vessels after all trips targeting HMS. III. Data OMB Number: 0648-0371 Form Number: NOAA Form 88-191 Type of Review: Regular submission Affected public: Business or other for-profit (vessel operators) Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,540 Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes for cost/earnings summaries attached to logbook reports. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,946 (these would be the increase in burden above the 9,481 hours previously approved for this collection). 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: October 7, 1999. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 99-27015 Filed 10-14-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F