[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 102 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28763-28764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11344]


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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; Report of Whaling Operations

AGENCY: National Oceanic and 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 July 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0311 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 Mi Ae Kim, Fishery Management Specialist, National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS), Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 
1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-427-8365 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a current information collection.

[[Page 28764]]

    The information to be submitted under this collection of 
information is necessary to comply with obligations under the 
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (1946). The 
Schedule of the Convention is binding on the United States and requires 
that this information be submitted for all whaling operations 
authorized by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), including the 
aboriginal subsistence whaling conducted by Native Americans. The 
Whaling Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 916-916l) authorizes the collection 
of this information. Regulations codifying the provisions of this act 
are at 50 CFR part 230. Information on the retrieval and use of dead 
whales (``stinkers'') is requested in order to have a record of all 
whales brought to shore and to ensure that whales killed under the IWC 
quotas are not claimed to have been found dead.
    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, as well as 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 a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; State, Local, or Tribal 
government.
    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: 50.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 100.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Whaling Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 916-9161).

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 information collection. 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. 2021-11344 Filed 5-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P