98-221. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Mandatory Catch Reporting; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-221]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Mandatory Catch Reporting; Proposed 
Collection; Comment Request

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Christopher Rogers, F/SF1, Station 14709, 1315 
East-west Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282 (301-713-2347).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Marine and Fisheries Service in cooperation with the 
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is implementing a pilot 
mandatory reporting program to conduct a census of the Recreational 
Winter Bluefin Tuna Harvest in North Carolina. Information on catch 
levels will be reported to the International Commission for the 
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and will be used for stock assessment 
and in developing international catch sharing agreements. Anglers that 
currently report through an automated phone system will be exempted 
from this requirement during this pilot program. This collection was 
initially approved under emergency clearance procedures; this notice 
invites comments on plans to submit a regular clearance request to 
extend that approval for three years.

II. Method of Collection

    Anglers will fill out catch cards and be given harvest tags that 
allow the angler to remove the fish from the vessel.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0339.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 700.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 117.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: None.

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: December 31, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-221 Filed 1-5-98; 8:45 am]
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