[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35962-35963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12777]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 051702A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; International 
Dolphin Conservation Program

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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 
(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 22, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via 
Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Cathy Campbell, 562-980-4060 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collects 
information to implement the International Dolphin Conservation Program 
Act. The Act allows entry of yellowfin tuna into the United States, 
under specific conditions, from nations in the Program that would 
otherwise be under embargo. The Act also allows U.S. fishing vessels to 
participate in the yellowfin tuna fishery in the eastern tropical 
Pacific Ocean on terms equivalent with the vessels of other nations. 
NOAA collects information to allow tracking and verification of 
``dolphin safe'' and ``non-dolphin safe'' tuna products from catch 
through the U.S. market.
    NOAA has modified the existing information collection by requiring 
that any wholesaler or distributer of any tuna or tuna products labeled 
as ``dolphin-safe'' produce documentary evidence concerning the origin 
of the tuna or products within 30 days of receiving a written request 
from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). NMFS expects that 
this will result in an annual information burden on 20 additional 
respondents.
    In addition, NMFS has modified the existing information collection 
by eliminating the requirement that canneries provide 48 hours notice 
of receipt of tuna shipment and eliminating the requirement that 
processors provide NMFS with copies of their receiving reports on a 
real-time basis. This has resulted in an overall reduction in the 
number of annual burden hours and the estimated annual cost to the 
public of this information collection.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper forms, other paper records, telephone calls, and radio 
transmissions.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0387.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 58.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes for a vessel permit 
application; 10 minutes for an operator permit application; 30 minutes 
for a request for a waiver to transit the eastern tropical Pacific 
Ocean without a permit (and subsequent radio reporting); 10 minutes for 
a notification of vessel departure; 10 minutes for a change in permit 
operator; 10 minutes for notification of a net modification; 10 hours 
for an experimental fishing operation waiver; 15 minutes for a request 
for a Dolphin Mortality Limit; 10 minutes for notification of vessel 
arrival; 60 minutes for a tuna tracking form; 10 minutes for

[[Page 35963]]

a monthly tuna storage removal report; 60 minutes for a monthly tuna 
receiving report; and 30 minutes for a special report documenting the 
origin of tuna (if requested by the NOAA Administrator).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 144.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $847.

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 16, 2002.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-12777 Filed 5-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-S