[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29100-29101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13466]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine Mammal 
Protection Act Annual Supplemental Data Report

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

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 29101]]

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 21, 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 Michael Asaro at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection.
    The Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan), developed 
under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, seeks to 
enable the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to reduce injuries 
and deaths of large whales, especially right whales, due to incidental 
entanglement in United States commercial fishing gear. In order to 
develop fair and effective management measures, the Take Reduction Team 
(Team) requires comprehensive data on when, where, and how fixed gear 
vessels fish. While subsets of Plan's vessels report on aspects of 
their operations, the available data form an incomplete picture. NMFS 
recognizes that forthcoming changes under select fishery management 
plans (e.g., the American Lobster Fishery Management Plan) may 
eventually introduce gear and activity reporting of the type requested. 
Until those requirements are implemented, however, operators of 
commercial fishing vessels deploying fixed gear (traps, pots, and 
gillnets) are requested to complete this annual supplemental data 
collection form, regardless of fishing location, permit type, or the 
provision of similar information to other Federal and state agencies. 
This information will allow NMFS to focus further risk reduction 
measures in certain areas or fisheries, where needed, to meet the goals 
of the Plan.

II. Method of Collection

    This information will initially be collected using a paper form, 
which respondents will be asked to return by mail. Respondents can also 
scan and email, or fax their submission. An electronic form will be 
developed for future iterations.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (new information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,604 respondents.
    Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes per year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,453 hours per year.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.60 per person per year, 
or $2,762.40 per year in 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: June 18, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-13466 Filed 6-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P