[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36118-36119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12262]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Report of 
Whaling Operations.

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 August 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 Cheri McCarty, Office of Protected Resources, (301) 713-
2322 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    Native Americans are allowed to conduct certain aboriginal 
subsistence whaling in accordance with the provisions of the 
International Whaling Commission (IWC). In order to respond to 
obligations under the International Convention for the Regulation of 
Whaling, and the IWC, captains participating in these operations must 
submit certain information to the

[[Page 36119]]

relevant Native American whaling organization about strikes on and 
catch of whales. Anyone retrieving a dead whale is also required to 
report. Captains must place a distinctive permanent identification mark 
on any harpoon, lance, or explosive dart used, and must also provide 
information on the mark and self-identification information. The 
relevant Native American whaling organization receives the reports, 
compiles them, and submits the information to NOAA.
    The information is used to monitor the hunt and to ensure that 
quotas are not exceeded. The information is also provided to the 
International Whaling Commission, which uses it to monitor compliance 
with its requirements.

II. Method of Collection

    Reports may be made by phone or fax. Information on equipment marks 
must be made in writing. No form is used.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0311.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; State, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 52.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes for reports on whales 
struck or on recovery of dead whales; 5 minutes for providing the 
relevant Native American whaling organization with information on the 
mark and self-identification information; 5 minutes for marking gear; 
and 5 hours for the relevant Native American whaling organization to 
consolidate and submit reports.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 48.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $100.

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: June 16, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-12262 Filed 6-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P