[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 8243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03877]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


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

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

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 April 27, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 Carolyn Doherty, National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS), Office for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 1315 
East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD, 20910; (301) 427-8385 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a current information collection.
    Native Americans may conduct certain aboriginal subsistence whaling 
under the Whaling Convention Act 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, the IWC, and the Whaling Convention Act, whaling captains 
participating in these operations must submit certain information to 
the 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 IWC, 
which uses it to monitor compliance with its requirements.

II. Method of Collection

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

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0311.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 166 (165 whaling captains, one 
Native American whaling organization).
    Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes for reports on whales 
struck or on recovery of dead whales, including providing the 
information to the relevant Native American whaling organization; 5 
minutes for the relevant Native American whaling organization to type 
in each report; and 5 hours for the relevant Native American whaling 
organization to consolidate and submit reports.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 86.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $100 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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: February 21, 2018.
 Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-03877 Filed 2-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P