[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 98 (Monday, May 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29481-29482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10183]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Gear-Marking 
Requirement for Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.

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 July 22, 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 Kristy Long (301) 713-1401 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The purpose of this proposed collection of information is to enable 
NOAA to reduce entanglements of large whales, especially right whales, 
in U.S. commercial fishing gear. Persons setting lobster trap/pot or 
gillnet gear in some areas of the Atlantic Ocean would be required to 
paint or otherwise mark their gear with two color codes, one color 
designating the type of gear, the other designating the area where the 
gear is set depending on area. These marking requirements would apply 
in right whale critical habitats and in two other areas where right 
whales are seen on a regular basis. These areas are the southeast U.S. 
observer area and the Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys Ledge restricted area.
    The goals of this collection of information are to obtain more 
information on where large whales are being entangled and on what type 
gear responsible for the entanglement. This information will allow NMFS 
to focus further risk reduction measures on problem areas rather than 
instituting broader measures that affect the overall industry.

II. Method of Collection

    This is a marking requirement and no information is submitted to 
NOAA.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0364.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations and 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,506.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 6 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,572.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $27,313.

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.


[[Page 29482]]


    Dated: May 17, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-10183 Filed 5-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P