[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4634-4635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1514]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Implantation 
and Recovery of Archival Tags for Highly Migratory Species

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Michael Clark, (301) 713-2347 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) allows scientists to implant archival tags in, or 
affix archival tags to, selected Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 
(tunas, sharks, swordfish, and billfish). Archival tags collect 
location, temperature, and water depth data that is useful for 
scientists researching the movements and behavior of individual fish. 
It is often necessary to retrieve the tags in order to obtain the 
collected data; therefore, persons catching tagged fish are exempted 
from other normally applicable regulations (i.e., immediate release of 
the fish, minimum size, prohibited species, retention limits). These 
participants must notify NOAA, return the archival tag or make it 
available to NOAA personnel, and provide information about the location 
and method of capture if they harvest a fish that has an archival tag. 
The information obtained is used by NOAA in the formation of 
international and

[[Page 4635]]

domestic fisheries policy and regulations.
    Scientists outside of NOAA who affix or implant archival tags must 
obtain prior authorization from NOAA and submit subsequent reports 
about the tagging of fish. NOAA needs this information to evaluate the 
effectiveness of archival tag programs, to assess the likely impact of 
regulatory allowances for tag recovery, and to ensure that the research 
does not produce excessive mortality.

II. Method of Collection

    Tags and associated information are either mailed in to NOAA and/or 
information may be collected via telephone.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0338.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations; not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 32.
    Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes for reporting an archival 
tag recovery (25 respondents); 40 minutes each for notification of 
planned archival tagging activity and three reports (2 interim reports 
and 1 annual report) (7 respondents).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 32.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 20, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-1514 Filed 1-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P