80_FR_54707 80 FR 54532 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Reporting Requirements for Commercial Fisheries Authorization Under Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

80 FR 54532 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Reporting Requirements for Commercial Fisheries Authorization Under Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 175 (September 10, 2015)

Page Range54532-54533
FR Document2015-22709

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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 175 (Thursday, September 10, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54532-54533]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22709]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Reporting 
Requirements for Commercial Fisheries Authorization Under Section 118 
of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

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 November 9, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Lisa White, (301) 427-8402 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Reporting injury to and/or mortalities of marine mammals is 
mandated under Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This 
information is required to determine the impacts of commercial fishing 
on marine mammal populations. This information is also used to 
categorize commercial fisheries into Categories I, II, or III. 
Participants in the first two categories must be authorized to take 
marine mammals, while those in Category III are exempt from that 
requirement. All categories must report injuries or mortalities on a 
National Marine Fisheries Service form.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. 
Methods of submittal include online forms, email of electronic or 
scanned forms, and mail

[[Page 54533]]

and facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0292.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of currently approved 
collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs and application fees.

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: September 3, 2015.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-22709 Filed 9-9-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                  54532                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 175 / Thursday, September 10, 2015 / Notices

                                                  and Nantucket Lightship at § 648.58(c).                 dredge potentially, reducing incidental                       DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                  It would also exempt participating                      mortality rates.
                                                  vessels from the Atlantic sea scallop                                                                                 National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                            For all tows, the sea scallop catch
                                                  observer program requirements at                                                                                      Administration
                                                                                                          would be counted into baskets and
                                                  § 648.11(g) and from possession limits                  weighed. One basket from each dredge
                                                  and minimum size requirements                                                                                         Proposed Information Collection;
                                                                                                          would be randomly selected and the                            Comment Request; Reporting
                                                  specified in 50 CFR part 648,
                                                                                                          scallops would be measured in 5-mm                            Requirements for Commercial
                                                  subsections B and D through O, for
                                                  sampling purposes only. Any fishing                     increments to determine size selectivity.                     Fisheries Authorization Under Section
                                                  activity conducted outside the scope of                 Finfish catch would be sorted by species                      118 of the Marine Mammal Protection
                                                  the exempted fishing activity would be                  then counted, weighed, and measured                           Act
                                                  prohibited.                                             in 1-mm increments. Depending on the
                                                                                                                                                                        AGENCY: National Oceanic and
                                                     Four vessels would conduct scallop                   volume of scallops and finfish captured,
                                                                                                                                                                        Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                                  dredging in October 2015-April 2016, on                 the catch would be subsampled as
                                                                                                                                                                        Commerce.
                                                  four 7-day trips, for a total of 28 DAS.                necessary. No catch would be retained
                                                                                                                                                                        ACTION: Notice.
                                                  Each trip would complete                                for longer than needed to conduct
                                                  approximately 50 tows per trip for an                   sampling and no catch would be landed                         SUMMARY:    The Department of
                                                  overall total of 200 tows for the project.              for sale.                                                     Commerce, as part of its continuing
                                                  Trips would take place in the open areas                                                                              effort to reduce paperwork and
                                                  of southern New England and Georges                             PROJECT CATCH ESTIMATES                               respondent burden, invites the general
                                                  Bank as well as in Georges Bank scallop                                                                               public and other Federal agencies to
                                                  access areas that are closed. Trips would                          Species                        lbs         mt      take this opportunity to comment on
                                                  be centralized around areas with high                                                                                 proposed and/or continuing information
                                                  yellowtail and winter flounder bycatch                  Scallops ........................      110,231        50.00   collections, as required by the
                                                  and in areas that contain a wide range                  Yellowtail .......................       2,000         0.91   Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
                                                  of scallop sizes to examine changes in                  Winter Flounder ............               500         0.23   DATES: Written comments must be
                                                  size selectivity due to dredge design and               Windowpane Flounder ..                   3,500         1.59   submitted on or before November 9,
                                                  wire scope.                                             Monkfish .......................         4,500         2.04   2015.
                                                                                                          Summer Flounder .........                  150        0.007
                                                     All tows would be conducted in                                                                                     ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
                                                                                                          Barndoor Skate .............               500         0.23
                                                  tandem using one TDD and one LPD for                                                                                  to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
                                                                                                          NE Skate Complex .......                75,000        34.02
                                                  a duration of 60 minutes with a tow                                                                                   Paperwork Clearance Officer,
                                                                                                          Atlantic Cod ..................             50         0.02
                                                  speed range of 4–5.5 knots. Both                                                                                      Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
                                                                                                          Haddock ........................            75         0.03
                                                  dredges would be 15 feet (4.57 meters)                  Silver/Offshore Hake ....                  125         0.05   14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
                                                  in width using 4-inch (10.16 cm) rings,                 Unclassified hakes ........                100         0.06   Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
                                                  and would be rigged with a 7-row                                                                                      Internet at JJessup@doc.gov).
                                                  apron, and twine top hanging ratio of                                                                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  2:1. Both dredges would be equipped                        CFF needs these exemptions to allow
                                                                                                          them to conduct experimental dredge                           Requests for additional information or
                                                  with a regulation turtle chain mat for                                                                                copies of the information collection
                                                  any tows west of 71° W. longitude. The                  towing without being charged DAS, as
                                                                                                          well as deploy gear in access areas that                      instrument and instructions should be
                                                  LPD dredge in comparison to the TDD                                                                                   directed to Lisa White, (301) 427–8402
                                                  dredge has a reduced frame angle from                   are currently closed to scallop fishing.
                                                                                                                                                                        or Lisa.White@noaa.gov.
                                                  45° to 22.5°, an extended shoe from 15                  Participating vessels need crew size
                                                                                                                                                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  inches (38.10 cm) to 22 inches (55.88                   waivers to accommodate science
                                                  cm), and a reduced frame height from 15                 personnel and possession waivers will                         I. Abstract
                                                  inches (38.10) to 9.5 inches (24.13 cm).                enable them to conduct finfish sampling                          This request is for an extension of a
                                                  Each tow pair would be conducted in a                   activities.                                                   currently approved information
                                                  straight line varying between long (4:1)                   If approved, the applicant may                             collection.
                                                  and short (3:1) scope ratios in an AB–                  request minor modifications and                                  Reporting injury to and/or mortalities
                                                  BA alternating pattern. Scope is the                    extensions to the EFP throughout the                          of marine mammals is mandated under
                                                  ratio of deployed towing cable to ocean                 year. EFP modifications and extensions                        Section 118 of the Marine Mammal
                                                  depth.                                                                                                                Protection Act. This information is
                                                                                                          may be granted without further notice if
                                                     To film finfish interactions, both                   they are deemed essential to facilitate                       required to determine the impacts of
                                                  dredge frames would have an                                                                                           commercial fishing on marine mammal
                                                                                                          completion of the proposed research
                                                  underwater camera attached to the outer                                                                               populations. This information is also
                                                                                                          and have minimal impacts that do not
                                                  frame bars facing the depressor plate.                                                                                used to categorize commercial fisheries
                                                                                                          change the scope or impact of the
                                                  Each interaction would be recorded                                                                                    into Categories I, II, or III. Participants
                                                                                                          initially approved EFP request. Any
                                                  using Observer XT computer software                                                                                   in the first two categories must be
                                                  and would fall into three categories:                   fishing activity conducted outside the
                                                                                                          scope of the exempted fishing activity                        authorized to take marine mammals,
                                                  Horizontal escape where the fish swims                                                                                while those in Category III are exempt
                                                  perpendicular to the dredge; vertical                   would be prohibited.
                                                                                                                                                                        from that requirement. All categories
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  escape where the fish swims over the                      Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                           must report injuries or mortalities on a
                                                  frame; and overcome/capture where the                     Dated: September 4, 2015.                                   National Marine Fisheries Service form.
                                                  fish passes under the cutting bar or
                                                                                                          Jennifer M. Wallace,                                          II. Method of Collection
                                                  through the openings between the
                                                  depressor plate and cutting bar. Filming                Acting Director, Office of Sustainable                           Respondents have a choice of either
                                                  will help test the hypothesis that the                  Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.                 electronic or paper forms. Methods of
                                                  LPD frame aids in flatfish escapement                   [FR Doc. 2015–22834 Filed 9–9–15; 8:45 am]                    submittal include online forms, email of
                                                  and reduces interaction time with the                   BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                        electronic or scanned forms, and mail


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:28 Sep 09, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00022      Fmt 4703        Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM   10SEN1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 175 / Thursday, September 10, 2015 / Notices                                           54533

                                                  and facsimile transmission of paper                     SUMMARY:    Free Atlantic Shark                       is permitted to receive sharks. These
                                                  forms.                                                  Identification Workshops and Protected                certificate(s) are valid for 3 years.
                                                                                                          Species Safe Handling, Release, and                   Approximately 113 free Atlantic Shark
                                                  III. Data
                                                                                                          Identification Workshops will be held in              Identification Workshops have been
                                                     OMB Control Number: 0648–0292.                       October, November, and December of                    conducted since January 2007.
                                                     Form Number(s): None.                                2015. Certain fishermen and shark                        Currently, permitted dealers may send
                                                     Type of Review: Regular submission                   dealers are required to attend a                      a proxy to an Atlantic Shark
                                                  (extension of currently approved                        workshop to meet regulatory                           Identification Workshop. However, if a
                                                  collection).                                            requirements and to maintain valid                    dealer opts to send a proxy, the dealer
                                                     Affected Public: Business or other for-                                                                    must designate a proxy for each place of
                                                                                                          permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark
                                                  profit organizations; Individuals or                                                                          business covered by the dealer’s permit
                                                                                                          Identification Workshop is mandatory
                                                  households.                                                                                                   which first receives Atlantic sharks.
                                                     Estimated Number of Respondents:                     for all federally permitted Atlantic shark
                                                                                                          dealers. The Protected Species Safe                   Only one certificate will be issued to
                                                  200.
                                                     Estimated Time per Response: 15                      Handling, Release, and Identification                 each proxy. A proxy must be a person
                                                  minutes.                                                Workshop is mandatory for vessel                      who is currently employed by a place of
                                                     Estimated Total Annual Burden                        owners and operators who use bottom                   business covered by the dealer’s permit;
                                                  Hours: 50.                                              longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet                is a primary participant in the
                                                     Estimated Total Annual Cost to                       gear, and who have also been issued                   identification, weighing, and/or first
                                                  Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting                   shark or swordfish limited access                     receipt of fish as they are offloaded from
                                                  costs and application fees.                             permits. Additional free workshops will               a vessel; and who fills out dealer
                                                                                                          be conducted during 2016 and will be                  reports. Atlantic shark dealers are
                                                  IV. Request for Comments                                announced in a future notice.                         prohibited from renewing a Federal
                                                     Comments are invited on: (a) Whether                 DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification              shark dealer permit unless a valid
                                                  the proposed collection of information                  Workshops will be held on October 8,                  Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop
                                                  is necessary for the proper performance                 November 12, and December 3, 2015.                    certificate for each business location
                                                  of the functions of the agency, including                 The Protected Species Safe Handling,                that first receives Atlantic sharks has
                                                  whether the information shall have                      Release, and Identification Workshops                 been submitted with the permit renewal
                                                  practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the              will be held on October 7, October 21,                application. Additionally, trucks or
                                                  agency’s estimate of the burden                         November 4, November 18, December 2,                  other conveyances that are extensions of
                                                  (including hours and cost) of the                       and December 16, 2015.                                a dealer’s place of business must
                                                  proposed collection of information; (c)                   See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for                   possess a copy of a valid dealer or proxy
                                                  ways to enhance the quality, utility, and               further details.                                      Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop
                                                  clarity of the information to be                        ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark                         certificate.
                                                  collected; and (d) ways to minimize the                 Identification Workshops will be held in
                                                  burden of the collection of information                                                                       Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations
                                                                                                          Somerville, MA; Mount Pleasant, SC;
                                                  on respondents, including through the                   and Largo, FL.                                        1. October 8, 2015, 12 p.m.–4 p.m., La
                                                  use of automated collection techniques                    The Protected Species Safe Handling,                    Quinta Inn, 23 Cummings Street,
                                                  or other forms of information                           Release, and Identification Workshops                     Somerville, MA 02145.
                                                  technology.                                             will be held in Panama City, FL;                      2. November 12, 2015, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.,
                                                     Comments submitted in response to                    Warwick, RI; Wilmington, NC; Largo,                       Hampton Inn, 1104 Isle of Palms
                                                  this notice will be summarized and/or                   FL; Kenner, LA; and Ronkonkoma, NY.                       Connector, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.
                                                  included in the request for OMB                           See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for                   3. December 3, 2015, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.,
                                                  approval of this information collection;                further details on workshop locations.                    Hampton Inn, 100 East Bay Drive,
                                                  they also will become a matter of public                                                                          Largo, FL 33770.
                                                                                                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick
                                                  record.
                                                                                                          Pearson by phone: (727) 824–5399, or by               Registration
                                                    Dated: September 3, 2015.                             fax: (727) 824–5398.                                    To register for a scheduled Atlantic
                                                  Sarah Brabson,                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The                        Shark Identification Workshop, please
                                                  NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.                             workshop schedules, registration                      contact Eric Sander at esander@
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–22709 Filed 9–9–15; 8:45 am]              information, and a list of frequently                 peoplepc.com or at (386) 852–8588.
                                                  BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                  asked questions regarding these
                                                                                                          workshops are posted on the Internet at:              Registration Materials
                                                                                                          http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/                        To ensure that workshop certificates
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                  workshops/.                                           are linked to the correct permits,
                                                                                                                                                                participants will need to bring the
                                                  National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        Atlantic Shark Identification
                                                                                                                                                                following specific items to the
                                                  Administration                                          Workshops
                                                                                                                                                                workshop:
                                                  RIN 0648–XE102                                            Since January 1, 2008, Atlantic shark                  • Atlantic shark dealer permit holders
                                                                                                          dealers have been prohibited from                     must bring proof that the attendee is an
                                                  Schedules for Atlantic Shark                            receiving, purchasing, trading, or                    owner or agent of the business (such as
                                                  Identification Workshops and                            bartering for Atlantic sharks unless a                articles of incorporation), a copy of the
                                                  Protected Species Safe Handling,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                          valid Atlantic Shark Identification                   applicable permit, and proof of
                                                  Release, and Identification Workshops                   Workshop certificate is on the premises               identification.
                                                  AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                      of each business listed under the shark                  • Atlantic shark dealer proxies must
                                                  Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                    dealer permit that first receives Atlantic            bring documentation from the permitted
                                                  Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                      sharks (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006).                dealer acknowledging that the proxy is
                                                  Commerce.                                               Dealers who attend and successfully                   attending the workshop on behalf of the
                                                                                                          complete a workshop are issued a                      permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a
                                                  ACTION: Notice of public workshops.
                                                                                                          certificate for each place of business that           specific business location, a copy of the


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:28 Sep 09, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00023   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM   10SEN1



Document Created: 2015-12-15 10:03:26
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 10:03:26
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesWritten comments must be submitted on or before November 9, 2015.
ContactRequests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Lisa White, (301) 427-8402 or [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 54532 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR