[Federal Register: July 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 133)]
[Notices]               
[Page 37750-37751]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jy99-38]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 070799E]

 
Reporting Requirements for Commercial Fisheries Under Section 118 
of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National 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 September 13, 
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 (or via 
Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Vicki Cornish, Office of Protected Resources (F/
PR2), Room 13700, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-
713-2322, ext. 125.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the taking of marine 
mammals except under permit or exemption. Section 118 of the Act 
authorizes an exemption for commercial fisheries provided that 
fishermen register and report all mortalities and serious injuries of 
marine mammals. NOAA will submit to OMB a request for renewal of 
approval for the reporting requirements. The information collected is 
required by statute and is needed by NOAA to determine the impacts of 
commercial fishing activities on marine mammal populations.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents must submit a standard postage-paid form reporting 
mortalities or serious injuries within 48 hours after the end of the 
fishing trip.

III. Data

     OMB Number: 0648-0292
     Form Number: None
     Type of Review: Regular submission
     Affected public: Business and other for-profit, individuals
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000
     Estimated Time Per Response: 9 minutes
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,500
     Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0

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.


[[Page 37751]]


    Dated: July 1, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-17795 Filed 7-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F