[Federal Register: July 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 145)]
[Notices]               
[Page 41094-41095]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jy99-37]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 072699B]

 
Commercial Harvesters and Recreational Party and Charter Boats 
Sociocultural and Economic Data Collection Pilot Study

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 27, 
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 (or via 
Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to John Witzig, Chief, Fishery Statistics Office, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930, 978-281-9232.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This is a pilot study sponsored by the Atlantic Coast Cooperative 
Statistics Program (ACCSP)and conducted by the National Marine 
Fisheries Service. This study is designed to develop sociocultural and 
economic information systems for commercial and recreational fisheries. 
Three specific arenas will be addressed during this pilot study. One is 
to identify and address potential problems with the mechanics of 
implementing the system. These include all data gathering, entry, and 
storage activities as well as the ability to link the data to all other 
ACCSP data. The second is to carry out a field test of the survey 
instrument across the different cultural and socioeconomic contexts in 
which the data gathering system must eventually be implemented. Field 
testing questions and instruments is standard procedure in preparing 
for any survey research. The third arena is to verify the economic 
model. Initial data gathering in two specific fisheries, summer 
flounder and blue crab, will be carried out and the data used for test 
runs of several standard economic models.

II. Method of Collection

    The study will collect social, cultural, and economic data from 
commercial and recreational party/charter fishing vessels' owners, 
captains and crew via face-to-face interviews. Time series of this 
information will be collected over a three-year period from the same 
people. Subsequent interviews with respondents will use telephone 
interviews.

III. Data

     OMB Number: None
     Form Number: None
     Type of Review: Regular submission
     Affected public: Businesses and other for-profit, individuals 
(fishing boat owners, captains, and crew members)
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,743 (343 vessels owners/
captains and approximately 1,400 crew members)
     Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour for owners, 30 minutes for 
crew members
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,386
     Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0



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.


[[Page 41095]]


    Dated: July 21, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-19430 Filed 7-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F