Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

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.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before February 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Erik Zlokovitz, Phone: (301) 713-2328 or Erik.Zlokovitz@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Marine recreational anglers are surveyed for 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 (MSA) (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 telephone surveys and on-site intercept surveys with recreational anglers. The recent amendments to MSA require the development of an improved data collection program for recreational fisheries. To meet the requirements of MSA, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service is developing pilot studies to test alternative approaches for surveying recreational anglers. Studies will test the effectiveness of mail surveys and panel surveys for contacting anglers and collecting recreational fishing data. The goal of these studies is to develop an efficient means of collecting fishing catch and effort data while maintaining complete coverage of the angling population.

II. Method of Collection

Information will be collected through telephone and mail interviews.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-0052.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

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

Estimated Number of Respondents: 893,321.

Estimated Time Per Response: 9 minutes for mail interviews, and 35 minutes for panel survey phone interviews.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 46,459.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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.