[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 27014-27015] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-12945] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Bluefin Tuna Statistical Documents ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 15, 1997. 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 or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to: Mark Murray-Brown, National Marine Fisheries Service, Highly Migratory Species Division, One Blackburn Dr., Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, (508) 281-9208. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The purpose of the collection of information is to comply with the United States' obligations under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act. The Act requires the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). As a member of ICCAT, the United States is required to take part in the collection of biological statistics for research purposes. These actions include a requirement for a completed, approved statistical document as a condition for lawful import, export, or re-export of Pacific or Atlantic bluefin [[Page 27015]] tuna. The collection serves three purposes of ICCAT: (1) Provides stock assessment and research information, (2) verifies catch monitoring programs so as not to exceed the country quota, and (3) augments NMFS's ability to better quantify all bluefin tuna that enter into commerce of the United States. II. Method of Collection A Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document must accompany all imports or exports of bluefin tuna. Copies must be retained for 2 years. In certain cases NOAA authorization can be obtained by firms to validate the Document in place of a government official. III. Data OMB Number: 0648-0040. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular Submission. Affected Public: Importers and exporters. Estimated Number of Respondents: 60. Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 311. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $300.00. 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 12, 1997. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 97-12945 Filed 5-16-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P