[Federal Register: May 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 100)]
[Notices]               
[Page 28159-28160]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25my99-51]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 052099A]

 
Report of Whaling Operations

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Noational Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed Collection; comment request.

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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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Kevin Chu, National Marine Fisheries Service, 166 
Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543, (508) 495-2367.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Native Americans are allowed to conduct certain aboriginal 
subsistence whaling in accordance with the provisions of the 
International Whaling Commission (IWC). In order to respond to 
obligations under the International Convention for the Regulation of 
Whaling, and the IWC, captains participating in these operations must 
submit certain information to the relevant Native American whaling 
organization about strikes on and catch of whales. Anyone retrieving a 
dead whale is also required to report. Captains must place a 
distinctive permanent identification mark on any harpoon, lance, or 
explosive dart used, and must also provide information on the mark and 
self-identification information.
    The relevant Native American whaling organization receives the 
reports, compiles them, and submits the information to NOAA.
    The information is used to monitor the hunt and to ensure that 
quotas are not exceeded. The information is also provided to the 
International Whaling Commission, which uses it to monitor compliance 
with its requirements.

II. Method of Collection

    Reports may be made by phone or fax. Information on equipment marks 
must be made in writing.

III. Data

     OMB Number: 0648-0311
     Form Number: None
     Type of Review: Regular submission
     Affected public: Individuals; State, Local, or Tribal government
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 52
     Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes for reports on whales 
struck or on recovery of dead whales, 5 minutes for providing the 
relevant Native

[[Page 28160]]

American whaling organization with information on the mark and self-
identification information; 5 minutes for marking gear; and 5 hours for 
the relevant Native American whaling organization to consolidate and 
submit reports.
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 57 hours
     Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $50

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: May 18, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 99-13203 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F