Notice2026-01173
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Marine Recreational Information Program, Access-Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS)
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
January 22, 2026
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 91 Issue 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2747-2748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01173]
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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; Marine Recreational Information Program, Access-Point Angler
Intercept Survey (APAIS)
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 March 23, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8bc5c4cacaa5dbd9cacbe5e4eaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a04050b0b641a180b0a24252b2b642d253c">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0659 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 John Foster, Chief, Recreational Fisheries Statistics Branch,
Fisheries Statistics Division, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring,
MD 21910, (301) 427-8130, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f555057511159504c4b5a4d7f51505e5e11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e18b8e898fcf878e92958493a18f8e8080cf868e97">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This request is for a revision and extension of a currently
approved information collection.
Marine recreational anglers are surveyed to collect catch and
effort data, fish biology data, and angler socioeconomic
characteristics. These data are required to carry out provisions of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.), as amended, regarding conservation and management of
fishery resources.
Marine recreational fishing catch and effort data are collected
through a combination of mail surveys, telephone surveys and on-site
intercept surveys with recreational anglers. Amendments to the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) require
the development of an improved data collection program for recreational
fisheries. To partially meet these requirements, NOAA Fisheries
designed and implemented a new Access-Point Angler Intercept Survey
(APAIS) in 2013 to ensure better coverage and representation of
recreational fishing activity.
The APAIS intercepts marine recreational fishers at public-access
sites in coastal counties from Maine to Alabama, Hawaii, and Puerto
Rico to obtain information about the just-completed day's fishing
activity. Respondents are asked about the time and type of fishing, the
angler's avidity and residence location, and details of any catch of
finfish. Species identification, number, and size are collected for any
available landed catch. Data collected from the APAIS are used to
estimate the catch per angler of recreational saltwater fishers. These
APAIS estimates are combined with estimates derived from independent
but complementary surveys of fishing effort, the Fishing Effort Survey
and the For-Hire Survey, to estimate total, state-level fishing catch,
by species, and effort. These estimates are used in the development,
implementation, and monitoring of fishery management programs by the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), regional fishery management
councils, interstate marine fisheries commissions, and state fishery
agencies.
[[Page 2748]]
In coordination with state, regional, and federal data collection
partners, additional information on angler catch depredation and
fishing location are being developed as potential additions to the
APAIS angler intercept forms starting in 2026.
II. Method of Collection
Information will be collected through onsite computer-assisted
personal interviews (CAPI).
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0659.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission (revision and extension of a
current information collection).
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 100,000.
Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes for intercepted anglers.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,333.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: 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. 2026-01173 Filed 1-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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