[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55030-55031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22233]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35).
    Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
    Title: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Observer Notification 
Requirements.
    Form Number(s): None.
    OMB Approval Number: 0648-0374.
    Type of Request: Regular submission.
    Burden Hours: 166.
    Number of Respondents: 241.
    Average Hours per Response: 5 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: Under current regulations, NMFS may select for 
observer coverage any fishing trip by a vessel that has a permit for 
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS). National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) 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. Such 
notification allows NMFS to arrange for observer placements and 
assignments.
    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. 
Burden estimates include a ten percent adjustment upward from current 
levels to account for future expansion of observer coverage in other 
fisheries.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, (202) 395-3897.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and

[[Page 55031]]

Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, Fax number (202) 395-7285, or 
[email protected].

    Dated: September 18, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-22233 Filed 9-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P