[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 169 (Monday, August 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 53796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19078]



[[Page 53796]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Individual Bluefin Tuna 
Quota (IBQ) Tracking and Appeals

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

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements, and minimize the public's reporting burden. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before October 30, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0677 in the subject line of your 
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise 
sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Dianne Stephan, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management 
Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, (978) 281-9260 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Under the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible for management of the Nation's 
marine fisheries. NMFS must also promulgate regulations, as necessary 
and appropriate, to carry out obligations the United States undertakes 
internationally regarding tuna management through the Atlantic Tunas 
Convention Act (ATCA, 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.).
    Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan 
(79 FR 71510, December 2, 2014) implemented individual bluefin tuna 
quota (IBQ) shares and allocations for vessels permitted in the 
Atlantic Tunas Longline category, and also implemented distribution of 
Atlantic Tunas Purse Seine category quota through the IBQ online 
system. IBQs are intended to fairly and effectively allocate limited 
quota for incidental capture of Atlantic bluefin tuna among vessels in 
the Longline category, while minimizing dead discards and discouraging 
interactions with bluefin tuna, and better utilizing the Purse Seine 
category quota. An online system developed by NMFS tracks allocations 
and allocation leases, and reconciles allocation with bluefin tuna 
catches for quota monitoring. This collection of information accounts 
for the reporting burden associated with allocation and lease tracking.
    First-time vessel permit holders in the affected categories must 
obtain and set up an IBQ account in the online ``Catch Shares Online 
System'' in order to be issued IBQ shares and resultant allocation, to 
lease IBQ, and to resolve quota debt. To use the electronic IBQ System, 
first-time participants will need to request an account and set their 
account up with background information. The information collected 
during account issuance and set-up will be used by NMFS to verify the 
identity of the individual/business and whether they qualify for IBQ 
allocation leasing.
    The lease monitoring information collected by the online system 
will be used by each permit holder to keep track of their individual 
IBQ allocation, and document allocation leases with other IBQ 
participants. NMFS will use these data to ensure proper accounting of 
allocations among participants, and to track use of quota allocations 
and reconcile allocation usage with bluefin tuna catch and landings.

II. Method of Collection

    The method of submission is electronic.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0677.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission [request for extension of a 
currently approved information collection].
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organization.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 220.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes for initial application for 
IBQ account; 15 minutes per IBQ allocation lease.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 54.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $ 1,100.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Legal authority for these data collections are 
authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and the Atlantic Tunas 
Convention Act (ATCA, 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-19078 Filed 8-28-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P