[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56193-56194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21094]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 091404A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Reporting of 
Sea Turtle Entanglement in Pot Gear Fisheries

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)).

[[Page 56194]]


DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 19, 
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 Kara Dodge, NOAA/NMFS/NERO, Protected Resources 
Division, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 (Phone 978-281-9328 
x6529).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This collection of information involves sea turtles becoming 
accidentally entangled in active or discarded fixed fishing gear. These 
entanglements may prevent the recovery of endangered and threatened sea 
turtle populations. NOAA Fisheries had established the Sea Turtle 
Disentanglement Network to promote reporting and increase successful 
disentanglement of sea turtles. As there is limited to no observer 
coverage of pot gear fisheries, NOAA Fisheries relies on the U.S. Coast 
Guard, fishing industry, stranding network, federal , state, and local 
authorities, and the public for this information. The information 
provided will help NOAA Fisheries better assess pot gear fisheries 
(lobster, whelk/conch, crab, fish trap) and their impacts on sea turtle 
populations in the northeast region (Maine to Virginia).

II. Method of Collection

    Members of the Disentanglement Network and the public are requested 
to call and inform NOAA Fisheries of any sea turtle entanglements they 
encounter. Information provided in these phone calls (or by fax or 
mail) will include: name and type of reporting vessel, vessel cell 
phone number or radio call channel, reporter name and home phone 
number, date/time of report (and/or sighting event), location (latitude 
and longitude), description of turtle for species identification, 
status of turtle alive or dead, description of entangling gear (rope, 
line, buoys, colors, ID numbers), location of entangling gear on turtle 
(head, flippers, single wrap, multiple wraps), description of any 
visible injuries, and weather/sea conditions at the scene. Information 
will be collected by NOAA Fisheries when a sea turtle entanglement 
event occurs. Reports and documentation of dead or injured sea turtles 
are also requested. NOAA Fisheries may request assistance from the 
responder to bring injured sea turtles to the appropriate stranding and 
rehabilitation facility for veterinary care when practical. NOAA 
Fisheries may also request assistance to bring fresh dead sea turtles 
to the appropriate stranding facility for necropsy.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0496.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations; 
Individuals or households; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal 
Government; and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 60 minutes for a telephone call.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $450.

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: September 10, 2004.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-21094 Filed 9-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S