[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 67 (Monday, April 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18781-18782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7111]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species Observer Notification Requirements

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and the 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 June 6, 2008.

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 Internet at 
[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instruments and instructions 
should be directed to Craig Cockrell, (301) 713-2347 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Under current regulations, the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) may select for observer coverage any fishing trip by a vessel 
that has a permit for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS), notifies 
vessel owners, in writing, when their vessels have been selected. The 
owners of those vessels are then required to notify NMFS before 
commencing any fishing trip for Atlantic HMS. The notification allows 
NMFS to arrange for observer placements and assignments.
    The vessels are selected randomly from a list of active vessels 
that have reported landings of targeted species during the previous 
year. Observers are placed aboard vessels to collect, among other 
things, information on species caught, catch disposition, gear, effort, 
and bycatch. The information is used in stock assessments to estimate 
rates of bycatch of non-targeted and protected species such as sea 
turtles, and to improve overall management of the fishery.
    A Biological Opinion (BiOp) issued on June 1, 2004, under the 
Endangered Species Act, requires a minimum of eight percent observer 
coverage in the pelagic longline fishery. In order to better monitor 
incidental landings of bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico during 
bluefin tuna spawning season, pelagic longline vessels fishing in the 
gulf will be subject to 100 percent observer coverage from March 9-June 
9 (41 vessels).
    The shark bottom longline observer program has set a target of five 
percent observer coverage in the shark bottom longline fishery. A BiOp 
issued in October 2003 requires NMFS to maintain or increase this level 
of observer coverage. Additionally, upcoming management measures will 
establish a shark research fishery including approximately 10 vessels 
with 100 percent coverage throughout the year. Observer coverage for 
the shark gillnet fishery fluctuates from approximately 50 percent to 
100 percent, depending on the time of year. Although technically not 
required, vessels operating in other HMS fisheries may be selected for 
observer coverage depending on factors including limited funding. The 
burden estimates include a ten percent adjustment upward from current 
levels to account for future expansion of observer coverage other 
fisheries.

II. Method of Collection

    The notification may be made by phone, fax, or in writing prior to 
each trip for which a vessel is selected. A form is provided by NMFS 
for written responses.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0374.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 241.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 166 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,488.

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

[[Page 18782]]

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: April 1, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-7111 Filed 4-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P