[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 143 (Thursday, July 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41062-41063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14464]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


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

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

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 September 24, 
2007.

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 Sara McNulty, (978) 281-9300 ext. 6520 or 
[email protected].

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. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has 
established the Sea Turtle Disentanglement Network to promote reporting 
and increase successful disentanglement of sea turtles. As there is 
limited observer coverage of pot gear fisheries, NMFS relies on the 
U.S. Coast Guard, fishing industry, stranding network, federal, state, 
and local

[[Page 41063]]

authorities, and the public for this information. The information 
provided will help NMFS 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

    Reports are made by telephone, or by fax or email.

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: 45.
    Estimated Time per Response: 60 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 45.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $675.

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: July 20, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-14464 Filed 7-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P