[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 148 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 49905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19427]



[[Page 49905]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 072902B]


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.

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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 30, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6608, 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 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 proposed reporting measure would require 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 
would be required to report the incidental take to NMFS and, if 
necessary, the appropriate 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 restriction (50 CFR 223.206(d)(2)(v)) is adequately 
protecting listed sea turtles.

II. Method of Collection

    At any time during the year, if a sea turtle is taken live and 
uninjured in any portion of the pound net operation, in the pound, 
heart, or leader, the operator of the vessel would be required to 
report the incident to the NMFS Northeast Regional Office within 24 
hours of returning from the trip in which the incidental take was 
discovered. At any time during the year, if a sea turtle is taken in a 
pound net operation, and is determined to be injured, or if a sea 
turtle is captured dead, the operator of the vessel would be required 
to immediately notify the NMFS Northeast Regional Office and the 
appropriate rehabilitation or stranding network, as determined by the 
NMFS Northeast Regional Office.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, 
individuals or households (specifically, Virginia pound net fishermen).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 80.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 74.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,323.

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: July 25, 2002.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-19427 Filed 7-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S