[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 42 (Friday, March 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8042-8043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4779]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Bluefin Tuna Dealer Reports

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 April 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
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 or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Kevin Foster, NMFS--One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01915 (508-281-9260).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The information collected in the Dealer Package is used by NMFS to 

[[Page 8043]]
    monitor the U.S. catch in relation to the quota, thereby ensuring that 
the United States complies with its international obligations to the 
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 
(ICCAT). Other provisions of the domestic regulations are also 
monitored through this collection of information, such as compliance 
with area closures, fishing seasons, and subquotas by gear type and/or 
user group. This information provides the catch data necessary to 
assess the status of bluefin tuna resources. Assessments are conducted 
and presented to ICCAT annually. The data provide the basis for ICCAT 
management recommendations which become binding on member nations. In 
addition, the Dealer Package provides essential information for 
domestic management policy and rule making.

II. Method of Collection

    Dealers who buy, sell, or receive for commercial purposes any 
large, medium, or giant size class Atlantic bluefin tuna are required 
to report all transactions to NMFS via daily and biweekly reporting 
forms. These collect certain information for each Atlantic bluefin tuna 
that is sold at landing. Dealers who purchase any other types or sizes 
of Atlantic tuna, or Pacific coast dealers who export or import bluefin 
tuna, are required to submit biweekly reports only.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0239
Form Number: None
Type of Review: Regular submission for extension of a currently 
approved collection
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit (tuna dealers)
Estimated Number of Respondents: 452
Estimated Time Per Response: 3 minutes for the daily reports, 16 
minutes for the biweekly Atlantic report, 21 minutes for the Pacific 
biweekly report, and 13 minutes for the biweekly report on other 
Atlantic tunas.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,087 hours
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $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.

    Dated: February 26, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-4779 Filed 2-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P