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[Federal Register: August 10, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 155)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42203-42204]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10au01-45]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 080701E]

 
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Northeast 
Region Gear Identification Requirements

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 
(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 9, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via 
Internet at <A HREF="mailto:MClayton@doc.gov">MClayton@doc.gov</A>).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to William L. Robinson, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (phone 206-526-6140).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The success of fisheries management programs depends significantly 
on regulatory compliance. Requirements that fishing gear be marked are 
essential to facilitate enforcement. The ability to link fishing gear 
to the vessel owner or operator is crucial to enforcement of 
regulations issued under the authority of the Magnuson Fishery 
Conservation and Management. The marking of fishing gear is also 
valuable in actions concerning damage, loss, and civil

[[Page 42204]]

proceedings. The regulations specify fishing gear must be marked with 
the vessel's official number, federal permit or tag number, or some 
other specified form of identification. The regulations further specify 
how the gear is to be marked, e.g., location and color. Law enforcement 
personnel rely on this information to assure compliance with fisheries 
management regulations. Gear that is not properly identified is 
confiscated. The identifying number on fishing gear is used by NMFS, 
the U.S. Coast Guard, and other marine agencies in issuing violations, 
prosecutions, and other enforcement actions. Gear marking helps ensure 
that a vessel harvests fish only from its own traps/pots/other gear and 
that traps/pots/other gear are not illegally placed. Gear violations 
are more readily prosecuted when the gear is marked, allowing for more 
cost-effective enforcement. Cooperating fishermen also use the number 
to report placement or occurrence of gear in unauthorized areas. 
Regulation-compliant fishermen ultimately benefit as unauthorized and 
illegal fishing is deterred and more burdensome regulations are 
avoided.

II. Method of Collection

    The physical marking of fishing buoys is done by the affected 
public (fishermen in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery) according to 
regulation.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0352.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations 
(fishermen in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,033.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes per marking (with an 
average of 11.6 buoy markings per vessel).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,002.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $4,503.

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: August 3, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-20118 Filed 8-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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