[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58123-58124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15686]


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

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 & 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 September 16, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0311 in the subject line of your 
comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will 
generally be posted on https://www.regulations.gov without change. 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, Trade, and Commerce, 
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. 
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 the National Marine 
Fisheries Service, Office of International Affairs, Trade, and 
Commerce. 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.

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: 115.
    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 request. 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

[[Page 58124]]

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. 2024-15686 Filed 7-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P