[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 51 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13013-13014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5243]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 
Characterization of the U.S. Recreational Fishery for Atlantic White 
Marlin

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), DOC.

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 16, 2005.

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

[[Page 13014]]

instrument and instructions should be directed to: Eric D. Prince, 
(305) 361-4248, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    According to the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Atlantic white marlin has been severely 
overfished for several decades and the stock continues to decline. 
These unfortunate circumstances have prompted several conservation 
groups to petition NOAA Fisheries to list white marlin under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA). One of the main objectives of the 
Atlantic Billfish Research Plan (http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/PDFdocs/ABRP_01_30_04.pdf) is to develop better information for management 
and rebuilding of the stocks. This project is designed to investigate 
characteristics of the offshore recreational white marlin fishery, 
including identification of specific fishing techniques and potential 
variables that might be included in post-release survival experiments. 
Specific in-depth knowledge of fishing techniques is essential to 
evaluate recreational fishing impacts and to develop relevant research 
and management approaches to reduce mortality for this sector of the 
fishery.
    Information will be obtained through a survey and complemented and 
confirmed by on-board observers in the Ocean City, Maryland area, which 
is known as the ``White Marlin Capital of the World.'' The project will 
serve as a pilot program to develop and hone survey techniques and gain 
general acceptance for the survey through meetings, face-to-face 
dialogue and word of mouth. It is important to develop rapport with the 
boat captains and mates to obtain information on the methods and 
specific techniques used to catch white marlin, which might be closely 
guarded information. This work attempts to form a current and 
knowledgeable information source on which to base appropriate research 
and conservation measures relative to the U.S. recreational fishery for 
Atlantic white marlin.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper applications, electronic reports, and telephone calls are 
required from participants, and methods of submittal include Internet 
and facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions and business or other 
for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 85.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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: March 10, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-5243 Filed 3-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P