[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33625-33626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13591]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 061004A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Application for 
Commercial Fisheries Authorization Under Section 118 of the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act

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 August 16, 2004.

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 [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Patricia Lawson, 301-713-2322, or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires any commercial fisher 
operating in Category I and II fisheries to register for a certificate 
of authorization that will allow the fisher to take marine mammals 
incidental to commercial fishing operations. Category I and II 
fisheries are those identified by NOAA as having either frequent or 
occasional takings of marine mammals.
    Some states have integrated the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) registration process into the existing state fishery 
registration process and fishers in those fisheries do not need to file 
a separate federal registration. If applicable, vessel owners will be 
notified of this simplified registration process when they apply for 
their state or Federal permit or license.

II. Method of Collection

    Fishers mail in an application for exemption made available to them 
in the NMFS regions and through fishery organizations, at fishing 
docks, on NMFS web page, etc. Renewal notifications are mailed to 
registered fishers and must be returned through the mail with the 
required registration fee.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0293.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, 
Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,800 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $304,550.

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.

[[Page 33626]]

    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: June 8, 2004.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-13591 Filed 6-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S