Notice2026-06390
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Fishing Effort Survey
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
April 2, 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 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16647-16648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06390]
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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 (MRIP) Fishing Effort
Survey
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
[[Page 16648]]
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 June 1, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dc92939d9df28c8e9d9cb2b3bdbdf2bbb3aa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ace2e3eded82fcfeedecc2c3cdcd82cbc3da">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0652 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 Rob Andrews, Survey Statistician, NOAA Fisheries, 200 Harry S.
Truman Pkwy., Annapolis, MD 21401, (302) 827-3226,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#50223f327e313e3422352723103e3f31317e373f26"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e4c515c105f505a4c5b494d7e50515f5f10595148">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This is a request for revision and extension of an 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. The Fishing Effort Survey
(FES) is conducted by the NOAA Fisheries, Office of Science and
Technology (OST). The FES is a self-administered, household mail survey
that samples from a residential address frame to collect data on the
number of recreational anglers and the number of recreational fishing
trips. The survey estimates marine recreational fishing activity for
all coastal states from Maine through Florida, as well as Hawaii.
FES estimates are combined with estimates derived from
complementary surveys of fishing trips, the Access-Point Angler
Intercept Survey, to estimate total, state-level fishing catch, by
species. These estimates are used in the development, implementation,
and monitoring of fishery management programs by NOAA Fisheries,
regional fishery management councils, interstate marine fisheries
commissions, and state fishery agencies.
Previously, the FES was administered bi-monthly, estimating
recreational fishing effort for two-month waves. In 2024, OST tested an
experimental survey design that included monthly sampling and
estimation and a modified questionnaire. The study concluded that the
revised design resulted in more timely and accurate estimates of
fishing activity. This information collection request will include a
revision to transition from bi-monthly to monthly administration of the
FES.
Additionally, the request will include an experiment to evaluate
online reporting. Specifically, the collection will include a pilot
study testing a web-push survey design that will encourage online
reporting before providing the option of a mail response. The design
will be evaluated with respect to data quality, timeliness of reporting
and cost.
II. Method of Collection
Information will be collected through self-administered mail
surveys and web surveys.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0652.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission (revision and extension of
current information collection).
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 112,500.
Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,338 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 0.
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. 2026-06390 Filed 4-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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