65FR38245 At-sea Scale Certification Program
robop...@us.govnews.org
Posting-number: Volume 65, Issue 119, Page 38245
[Federal Register: June 20, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 119)]
[Notices]
[Page 38245]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jn00-41]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 061500A]
At-sea Scale Certification Program
AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
ACTION: Proposed information collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 21, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
6066, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via
Internet at leng...@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Alan Kinsolving, NOAA/NMFS, F/AKR2, PO BOX 21668,
Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages the commercial
groundfish harvest off Alaska based on an annual total allowable catch
for each species. This is based on ``round'' weight, or the weight of
the fish prior to processing. However, much of the fish harvested off
Alaska is harvested by vessels that process the catch at-sea and do not
land whole fish. One way that NMFS uses to estimate the total weight of
fish harvested by processing vessels is by requiring the vessel to
weigh all or part of their catch on a motion-compensated scale. At this
time, two groups of vessels are required to weigh all catch at-sea:
catcher processors and motherships that are listed under the American
Fisheries act as eligible to harvest pollock; and trawl catcher
processors and motherships that are harvesting fish under the Community
Development Quota Program (CDQ quota). Non-trawl catcher/processors
that harvest CDQ quota are not required to weigh all catch, but they
are required to weigh samples of catch. All of these vessels must also
provide an observer sampling station where NMFS-certified observers can
work. The station must be inspected and approved annually by NMFS.
II. Method of Collection
Scale manufacturers must submit documentation if they wish to have
a scale approved by NMFS. Vessel owners required to weigh catch must
use NMFS-inspected scales and sampling stations. To schedule an
inspection, they must submit a request form. Vessels required to weigh
all catch must test their scales daily and maintain documentation
verifying that the testing took place. These vessels must also maintain
a printed record of the weight of each haul that was required to be
weighed. Finally, inspectors employed by other Federal, state, or local
weights and measures agencies may request authority to inspect scales
on behalf of NMFS.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0648-0330.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 49.
Estimated Time Per Response: 176 hours for the scale type
evaluation, 45 minutes for conducting and maintaining a record of the
daily scale test, 6 minutes to retain a daily printed scale output, 6
minutes for the request for scale inspection, 6 minutes for maintenance
of a scale approval sticker, 6 minutes for an application to inspect
scales on behalf of NMFS, and 2 hours to make a request for observer
sampling station inspection and maintaining the results.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,508.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $8,184.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and /or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: June 13, 2000.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-15509 Filed 6-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F