[Federal Register: October 21, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 203)] [Notices] [Page 61254-61255] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21oc05-31] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Reporting of Sea Turtle Incidental Take in Virginia Chesapeake Bay Pound Net Operations AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 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 December 20, 2005. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Mary Colligan, Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 (ph. 978-281-9116, fax 978-281- 9394). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This action would continue the reporting measure requiring all Virginia Chesapeake Bay pound net fishermen to report interactions with endangered and threatened sea turtles, found both live and dead, in their pound net operations. When a live or dead sea turtle is discovered during a pound net trip, the Virginia pound net fisherman are required to report the incidental take to NMFS and, if necessary, the appropriate [[Page 61255]] rehabilitation and stranding network. This information will be used to monitor the level of incidental take in the state-managed Virginia pound net fishery and ensure that the seasonal pound net leader restrictions (50 CFR 223.206(d)(10)) are adequately protecting listed sea turtles. Based on the number of sea turtle takes anticipated in the Virginia pound net fishery, the number of responses anticipated on an annual basis has increased from 441 to 611, and the number of burden hours has increased from 74 to 102. II. Method of Collection Reports may be made either by telephone or fax. III. Data OMB Number: 0648-0470. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 53. Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 102. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,833. 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: October 17, 2005. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 05-21084 Filed 10-20-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P