Notice2024-10530
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Fishery Capacity Reduction Program/Buyback Requests
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 14, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 94 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 41947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10530]
[[Page 41947]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Fishery Capacity Reduction Program/Buyback Requests
AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before July 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#642500160d010a0a014a100c0b090517240a0b05054a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3f7e5b4d565a51515a114b5750525e4c7f51505e5e11585049">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0376 in the subject line of your
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise
sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Moni Banerjee, Chief, Financial Services Division, NOAA National
Marine Fisheries Service, (301) 427-8716 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#315c5e5f581f53505f54435b5454715f5e50501f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2cfcdcccb8cc0c3ccc7d0c8c7c7e2cccdc3c38cc5cdd4">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This request is for extension of a currently approved information
collection. The Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) amended the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to provide for
voluntary reduction of excess fishing capacity through fishing capacity
reduction (buyback) programs. Excess fishing capacity decreases
fisheries earnings, complicates fishery management, and imperils
fishery conservation. The statutory objective of a program is ``to
obtain the maximum sustained reduction in fishing capacity at the least
cost and in a minimum period of time.'' Buybacks pay fishermen either
to: (1) Surrender their fishing permits; or (2) both surrender their
permits and either scrap their fishing vessels or restrict vessel title
to prevent fishing. Buybacks can involve either a Federal or State
fishery. Buybacks can be funded via a long-term loan from the Federal
government to the fishery (industry-funded buybacks), to be repaid by
the industry by post-buyback landing fees, or funded from
appropriations (non-industry funded) or other non-loan sources of
funds. Programs involving industry-financed loans are authorized by
section 1111 of title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936.
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) established programs
to reduce excess fishing capacity by paying fishermen to surrender
their vessels/permits. The information collected by NMFS involves the
submission of buyback requests by industry, submission of bids,
referenda of fishery participants and reporting of collection of fees
to repay buyback loans. For buybacks involving State-managed fisheries,
the State may be involved in developing the buyback plan and complying
with other information requirements. NMFS requests information from
participating buyback participants to track repayments of the loans as
well as ensure accurate management and monitoring of the loans. The
fees for recordkeeping and reporting requirements at 50 CFR parts
600.1013 through 600.1017 form the basis for the collection of
information.
II. Method of Collection
Paper reports or electronic reports are required from buyback
participants. Methods of submittal include mailing of paper reports,
electronic submission via the internet.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0376.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Regular submission. [Extension of a current
information collection.]
Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
Estimated Time per Response: Implementation plan, 6,634 hours;
referenda votes, bids, seller/buyer reports and annual fee collection
reports, 4 hours each; completion of fish ticket, 10 minutes; monthly
fee collection report, 2 hours; advising holder/owner of conflict with
accepted bidders' representations, 1 hour; potentially 270 hours-state
approval/review of plans.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,838.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,596 in recordkeeping/
filing costs.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits.
Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Reauthorization Act.
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-10530 Filed 5-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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