[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 51 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13014-13015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5244]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


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), 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 instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Patricia Lawson, (301) 713-2322 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) 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 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

    Most fishers have their information imported directly into the MMAP 
from their State. Otherwise they can fill out the forms on NMFS' Web 
page or mail in application for exemption made available to them in the 
NMFS regions.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0293.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, and 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,000 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

[[Page 13015]]

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. 05-5244 Filed 3-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P