[Federal Register: September 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 186)]
[Notices]
[Page 55030-55031]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24se08-34]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35).
Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Observer Notification
Requirements.
Form Number(s): None.
OMB Approval Number: 0648-0374.
Type of Request: Regular submission.
Burden Hours: 166.
Number of Respondents: 241.
Average Hours per Response: 5 minutes.
Needs and Uses: Under current regulations, NMFS may select for
observer coverage any fishing trip by a vessel that has a permit for
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS). National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) notifies vessel owners, in writing, when their vessels
have been selected. The owners of those vessels are then required to
notify NMFS before commencing any fishing trip for Atlantic HMS. Such
notification allows NMFS to arrange for observer placements and
assignments.
Vessels are selected randomly from a list of active vessels that
have reported landings of targeted species during the previous year.
Observers are placed aboard vessels to collect, among other things,
information on species caught, catch disposition, gear, effort, and
bycatch. The information is used in stock assessments to estimate rates
of bycatch of non-targeted and protected species such as sea turtles,
and to improve overall management of the fishery.
A Biological Opinion (BiOp) issued on June 1, 2004, under the
Endangered Species Act, requires a minimum of eight percent observer
coverage in the pelagic longline fishery. In order to better monitor
incidental landings of bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico, during
bluefin tuna spawning season, pelagic longline vessels fishing in the
gulf will be subject to 100 percent observer coverage from March 9-June
9 (41 vessels).
The shark bottom longline observer program has set a target of five
percent observer coverage in the shark bottom longline fishery. A BiOp
issued in October 2003 requires NMFS to maintain or increase this level
of observer coverage. Additionally, upcoming management measures will
establish a shark research fishery including approximately 10 vessels
with 100 percent coverage throughout the year. Observer coverage for
the shark gillnet fishery fluctuates from approximately 50 percent to
100 percent, depending on the time of year. Although technically not
required, vessels operating in other HMS fisheries may be selected for
observer coverage depending on factors including limited funding.
Burden estimates include a ten percent adjustment upward from current
levels to account for future expansion of observer coverage in other
fisheries.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
Frequency: On occasion.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, (202) 395-3897.
Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and
[[Page 55031]]
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at
dHynek@doc.gov).
Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice
to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, Fax number (202) 395-7285, or
David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov.
Dated: September 18, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-22233 Filed 9-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P