Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Pacific Islands Permit Family of Forms
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Commerce wants people to give their thoughts on fishing rules for places like Hawaii. They need feedback to make sure fishing permits are fair and not too hard to get.
Summary AI
The Department of Commerce is seeking public input on a proposed information collection related to fishing permits for various Pacific Islands, including Hawaii and American Samoa. The NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service requires vessel owners and permit holders to register their vessels to manage fisheries effectively. This notice extends the comment period by an additional 30 days, inviting individuals, businesses, and federal agencies to comment on these requirements. Feedback is crucial for evaluating the impact and minimizing the reporting burden on the public.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register outlines a request from the Department of Commerce for public commentary on a proposed information collection concerning fishing permits in the Pacific Islands, such as Hawaii and American Samoa. This request is part of the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service's efforts to effectively manage fisheries in these regions. The notice additionally extends the period for public input for another 30 days, encouraging feedback from individuals, businesses, and federal agencies.
General Summary
The primary focus of this document is to solicit public input on the information collection process related to permits for vessel owners and permit holders fishing in U.S. waters around several Pacific Islands. These permits are essential for monitoring landing catches and ensuring compliance with fishing regulations, ultimately aimed at sustainable fishing practices. The document specifies different time requirements for various permit-related activities and mentions the necessary legal framework for these actions.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several notable issues emerge from this document. First, although it is described as a "Regular submission (revision of a currently approved collection)," it does not specify what changes have been made or why these are deemed necessary. Such clarification might help stakeholders understand the reasons behind the revision.
Furthermore, while the document provides an overview of the purpose of collecting permit information, it lacks specific examples of how the data will improve fishery management and enforcement. A detailed explanation could offer transparency and justify the need for public compliance.
Additionally, the time estimates for various permit activities are given, yet the basis for these estimates remains unexplained. Understanding the rationale could lend credibility to these figures and help respondents manage their time expectations better.
The instructions for submitting comments could be clearer. While the document provides a web link, detailed step-by-step guidance on how to navigate and find the relevant sections for commenting would likely enhance user-friendliness.
Lastly, the mention of "50 CFR 665" as legal authority lacks context. This reference may be obscure to those unfamiliar with federal regulations, and a brief explanation could aid in understanding the legal basis of the requirements.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this document impacts the public by potentially altering the processes involved in acquiring and maintaining fishing permits. By inviting public commentary, it opens an avenue for individuals and organizations to voice concerns or suggestions, impacting how these regulatory processes develop and are maintained.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders, such as fishermen and businesses operating in the Pacific Island fisheries, these regulations and their revisions could significantly affect operational logistics and compliance costs. The permit processes stipulated may demand time and resources, especially for those with multiple operations or vessels. Conversely, clear and efficient regulations can also benefit these stakeholders by ensuring sustainable fishery resources and providing long-term economic stability. Stakeholders may find themselves impacted positively if their feedback leads to streamlined operations or negatively if the requirements seem burdensome without clear justification.
Overall, this document highlights an ongoing dialogue between regulatory bodies and stakeholders in the interest of effective fisheries management. Public participation is key to refining these processes, ensuring they are both effective and considerate of those affected.
Issues
• The document mentions a 'Regular submission (revision of a currently approved collection)', but it does not clarify what specific revisions have been made or why they are necessary.
• The needs and uses section provides a general overview of the information collection purpose, but it lacks specific details on how the collected information directly contributes to the management and enforcement of fishing regulations.
• The average hours per response section provides varied response times for different activities but does not explain the rationale behind the time estimates or how they were calculated.
• The information regarding public comment submission is somewhat divided and could be clearer if it outlined exact steps or guidance on how to navigate the reginfo.gov website to find the relevant collection for comments.
• The legal authority section briefly states '50 CFR 665' without providing additional context or description of what this regulation entails, which could be unclear to those unfamiliar with it.