[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 86 (Thursday, May 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35812-35813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09484]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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; Application for Commercial Fisheries Authorization Under 
Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

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

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 1, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0293 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 Jaclyn Taylor, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of 
Protected Resources, 1315 East West Hwy., Bldg. SSMC3, Silver Spring, 
MD 20910-3282, 301-427-8402 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) Office of Protected 
Resources sponsors this information collection and is requesting 
renewal of the currently approved collection.
    Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requires any 
commercial fisherman operating in Category I and II fisheries to 
register for a certificate of authorization that will allow the 
fisherman to take marine

[[Page 35813]]

mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations. Category I and II 
fisheries are those identified by NOAA as having either frequent or 
occasional takings of marine mammals. All states have integrated the 
NMFS registration process into the existing state fishery registration 
process and vessel owners do not need to file a separate federal 
registration. If applicable, vessel owners will be notified of this 
simplified registration process when they apply for their state or 
Federal permit or license. A valid certificate of authorization 
protects the vessel owner from prosecution under the MMPA for violation 
of the moratorium on taking marine mammals. The information needed to 
register or update a commercial fishery authorization is found at 50 
CFR 229.4

II. Method of Collection

    Fishermen's information is imported directly into the Marine Mammal 
Authorization Program (MMAP) from their state. If they do not have a 
state or Federal fishery permit or license, fishermen can request a 
MMAP registration form (OMB no. 0648-0293) from their NMFS regional 
office and mail or email the registration form.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0293.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission [extension of a current 
information collection].
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Time per Response: Initial registration 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 25 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,555 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs and application fees.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required for participants in Category I 
and II fisheries to lawfully take marine mammals' incidental to fishing 
operations.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; MMPA.

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 Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-09484 Filed 5-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P