Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Socio-Economic Survey of Hired Captains and Crew in New England and Mid-Atlantic Commercial Fisheries

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Federal RegisterJan 25, 2021
86 Fed. Reg. 6877 (Jan. 25, 2021)

AGENCY:

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at Adrienne.thomas@noaa.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 0648-0636 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 Lisa L. Colburn, Social Scientist, NOAA/Northeast Fisheries Science Center, (401-782-3253), lisa.l.colburn@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This request is for a revision to an approved collection. This collection is currently approved for implementation in New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions by NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center's Social Sciences Branch (NEFSC-SSB). The NEFSC-SSB, in collaboration with the Southeast Fisheries Science Center Social Science Research Group (SEFSC-SSRG), requests a revision to expand the geographic scope of the survey to include South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions, an associated collection title change (“Socio-Economic Survey of Hired Captains and Crew in New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries”), and to make minor revisions to the survey form that address regional differences in fisheries. The NEFSC and SEFSC seek to conduct surveys to provide for the ongoing collection of social and economic data related to the fishing industries in those states. The purpose of this survey is to assess and track over time the social and economic conditions of commercial fishing crews and hired captains for which little is known. This survey will provide data on social and economic impacts for this population and the changes in fisheries as a result of regulatory changes. Data to be collected include demographic information on crew, wage calculations systems, individual and community well-being, fishing practices, job satisfaction, job opportunities, and attitudes toward fisheries management. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act (MSA) both contain requirements for considering the social and economic impacts of fishery management decisions. There is a need to understand how such fishery management policies and programs will affect the social and economic characteristics of those involved in the commercial fishing industry. To help meet these requirements of NEPA and MSA, the NEFSC and SEFSC will collect data on an ongoing basis to track how socio-economic characteristics of fisheries are changing over time and the impact of fishery management policies and programs implemented in New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions.

II. Method of Collection

This information will be collected through in-person intercept interviews and telephone.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-0636.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Regular (revision of a previously approved information collection).

Affected Public: Individuals, households; Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 946.

Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 236.5.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: NEPA and MSA.

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 Chief Information Officer, Commerce Department.

[FR Doc. 2021-01472 Filed 1-22-21; 8:45 am]

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