Notices. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

426 words·~2 min read·/register/2018/02/20/2018-03365

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BILLING CODE 3510-22-P\ DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). *Agency:* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). *Title:* Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Charter Permits. *OMB Control Number:* 0648-0592. *Form Number(s):* None. *Type of Request:* Regular (revision and extension of a currently approved information collection). *Number of Respondents:* 236. *Average Hours per Response:* 2 hours for Application for Transfer of Charter Halibut Permit; 0.5 hours for Application for Military Charter Permit; 2 hours for Application for Transfer between IFQ and Guided Angler Fish (GAF); and 4 hours for Appeals if an Application for Transfer between IFQ and GAF is denied by NMFS. *Burden Hours:* 559. *Needs and Uses:* This request is for revision and extension of a currently approved information collection. The Alaska Pacific Halibut Charter Program established Federal Charter Halibut Permits

(CHPs)for operators in the charter halibut fishery in IPHC regulatory Areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska). Since February 1, 2011, all vessel operators in Areas 2C and 3A with charter anglers onboard catching and retaining Pacific halibut must have a valid CHP onboard during every charter vessel fishing trip. CHPs must be endorsed with the appropriate regulatory area and number of anglers. The National Marine Fisheries Service

(NMFS)implemented this program based on recommendations by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to meet allocation objectives in the charter halibut fishery. This program provides stability in the fishery by limiting the number of charter vessels that may participate in Areas 2C and 3A and decreasing the overall number of available CHPs over time. The program goals are to increase the value of the resource, limit boats to qualified active participants in the guided sport halibut sector, and enhance economic stability in rural coastal communities. An appeal letter was inadvertently removed from this collection previously, now reinstated. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit organizations; individuals and households. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Respondent's Obligation:* Mandatory. This information collection request may be viewed at *reginfo.gov* . Follow the instructions to view Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to *OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov* or fax to

(202)395-5806. Dated: February 14, 2018. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2018-03365 Filed 2-16-18; 8:45 am]