[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64433-64434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17425]


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

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; Reporting of Sea Turtle Incidental Take in Virginia Chesapeake 
Bay Pound Net 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 October 7, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0470 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 Carrie Upite, Sea Turtle Recovery Coordinator, Greater Atlantic 
Regional Fisheries Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great 
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; (978) 282-8475; or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This is a request for renewal of an approved information 
collection.
    Since 2002, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
(NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has promulgated several 
rules restricting the use of large mesh and stringer pound net leaders 
in certain Virginia Chesapeake Bay waters during the late spring/early 
summer each year. On June 17, 2002, an interim final rule was published 
(67 FR 41196) restricting leader use, which also required year-round 
reporting of sea turtle takes. In 2004, NMFS issued a final rule 
further restricting pound net leader use in Virginia (69 FR 24997). The 
2004 rule retained the reporting requirement from the 2002 rule. These 
regulations (modifications to 50 CFR parts 222 and 223) were 
implemented as a result of high sea turtle strandings each spring in 
Virginia and the documented take of sea turtles in pound net leaders. 
On March 31, 2018, a revised Biological Opinion on NMFS gear 
regulations in the Virginia pound net fishery was completed pursuant to 
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). An 
Incidental Take Statement was included in this

[[Page 64434]]

Biological Opinion, exempting the incidental take of a certain number 
of loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, green and leatherback sea turtles in 
pound net operations.
    A non-discretionary term and condition of the Incidental Take 
Statement involved the reporting to NMFS of live or dead sea turtles 
taken in pound net operations (reflected in 50 CFR 223.206). The 
collection of this information on the incidental take of sea turtles in 
the Virginia pound net fishery is necessary to ensure sea turtles are 
being conserved and protected, as mandated by the ESA. Documenting the 
accurate occurrence of sea turtle incidental take in pound net 
operations will help to determine if additional regulatory actions or 
management measures are necessary to protect sea turtles caught in 
pound net operations. This information will help NMFS better assess the 
Virginia pound net fishery and its impacts (or lack thereof) on sea 
turtle populations in the Virginia Chesapeake Bay. The collection of 
this information is also imperative to ensure that the Incidental Take 
Statement is not being exceeded, the anticipated take levels are 
appropriate, and the effects analysis in the Biological Opinion is 
accurate. Further, reporting the take of live, injured sea turtles 
caught in pound net gear will ensure these turtles are transferred 
immediately to a stranding and rehabilitation center for appropriate 
medical treatment.

II. Method of Collection

    Reports may be made either by telephone or email.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0470.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 37.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 167 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $231.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Endangered Species Act.

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. 2024-17425 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P