Notice2025-04410
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Collection of High-Resolution Spatial and Temporal Fishery Dependent Data to Support Scientific Research
Primary source
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Published
March 18, 2025
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 90 Issue 51 (Tuesday, March 18, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 18, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12526-12527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04410]
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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; Collection of High-Resolution Spatial and Temporal Fishery
Dependent Data to Support Scientific Research
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 May 19, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#763839373758262437361819171758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82cccdc3c3acd2d0c3c2ecede3e3ace5edf4">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0803 in the subject line of your
comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will
generally be posted on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> without change. 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 Katie Burchard, Marine Resources Management Specialist, Northeast
Fisheries Science Center, 28 Tarwell Drive, Narragansett Rhode Island,
401-299-9587, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#347f55405d511a764146575c554650745a5b55551a535b42"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c476d786569224e797e6f646d7e684c62636d6d226b637a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This is an extension of an existing information collection with no
changes.
Commercial fishers from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will
collaborate with NOAA Fisheries, Northeast Fisheries Science Center
(NEFSC) Cooperative Research Branch, to voluntarily collect detailed
fishery-dependent data during commercial fishing trips. Collection of
information regarding commercial fisheries is necessary to fulfill the
following statutory requirements: the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
Fishers will use the Fisheries Logbook Data Reporting Software
(FLDRS) to collect high-resolution information on fishing effort and
catch. The goal is to enable fishers to collect more accurate and
precise data on where and how many fish are caught, and how much effort
was expended. This high-resolution data will lead to improved accuracy
of commercial fisheries data and better understanding of fishery
dynamics. The FLDRS software was designed to record data at the haul
(effort) level, similar to the level of data collected by the Northeast
Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP), but can be used to collect sub-trip
level data and is approved for federal Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting
(eVTR). FLDRS can be integrated with Global Positioning Systems (GPS),
Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), depth sounders, and temperature/depth
sensors. The FLDRS software can use the VMS to transmit a trip data
file to NEFSC email account where it is ultimately uploaded to NEFSC
database. Alternatively, the vessel operator can choose to manually
upload trip files using the web-based application Vessel Electronic
Reporting Web Portal (VERS).
Temperature and Depth (TD) data will be collected opportunistically
and dependent on fisher interest. TD probes will be used to monitor the
duration of time gear is fished in addition to collecting temperature
and depth data. The high-resolution catch data in
[[Page 12527]]
conjunction with temperature depth data can be used to validate
oceanographic and habitat models to produce oceanographic and species
density forecasts for fishers. These species-specific density forecast
can be used as a tool while fishing to maximize efficiency and avoid
limited stocks.
By collecting these data, we are improving the data available to
support improved understanding of population, ecosystem, and fishery
dynamics in the northeast region. These improved understandings help
the Northeast Fisheries Science Center inform management so they can
meet the standards laid out in the Magnuson Stevens Act. Without
working with the fishing industry to collect these data, we are
severely restricting our access to the best available data to support
needed research that informs management decisions.
II. Method of Collection
There will be an onboarding paper registration process consisting
of filling out and signing a resume document, data waiver, and non-
disclosure agreement that can be mailed or faxed to the Northeast
Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Cooperative Research Branch.
Fishery dependent data outside of temperature depth data will be
collected electronically on a dedicated laptop using the NEFSC
Fisheries Logbook Data Reporting Software (FLDRS). The data collected
is encrypted and is either wirelessly transmitted via Vessel Electronic
Reporting Web Portal or VMS to the NEFSC or manually collected
routinely by Cooperative Research Staff.
Temperature and Depth (TD) data is collected opportunistically and
dependent on fisher interest. The TD data is routinely retrieved from
the vessel manually by Cooperative Research Branch staff.
Data can be viewed, uploaded, downloaded, and edited by the vessel
owner and vessel owner approved representatives on a secure web-based
application called the Vessel Electronic Reporting Web Portal (VERS).
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0803.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Extension of a current information collection.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.
Estimated Time per Response: 50 minutes per day for vessels
collecting trip level data.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,752.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $800 equipment.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Collection of information regarding commercial
fisheries is necessary to fulfill the following statutory requirements:
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.).
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 information collection request. 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,
Departmental PRA Compliance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2025-04410 Filed 3-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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