Document
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Reporting Requirements for Commercial Fisheries Authorization Under Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and conti...
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This request is for the renewal of a currently approved information collection and is sponsored by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources (OPR).
Reporting injury to and/or mortalities of marine mammal's incidental to commercial fishing activities is mandated under Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This information is required to determine the impacts of commercial fishing on marine mammal populations. This information is also used to classify commercial fisheries into Categories I, II, or III on the annual Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries. Participants in the first two categories must be authorized to take marine mammals, while those in Category III are exempt from that requirement. All three categories must report injuries or mortalities to the NMFS using the OMB approved 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, mail 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; State, local, or tribal government.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
200.
Estimated Time per Response:
15 minutes per response.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:
50 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public:
$0.
Respondent's Obligation:
Mandatory.
Legal Authority:16 U.S.C. 1387 Sec. 118.
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this information collection request. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Compliance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.