E8-29282. 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: Application for Commercial Fisheries Authorization under Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

OMB Control Number: 0648-0293.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Request: Regular submission.

Burden Hours: 180.

Number of Respondents: 800.

Average Hours per Response: Initial applications, 15 minutes; and renewals, 9 minutes.

Needs and Uses: The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires any commercial fisher operating in Category I and II fisheries to register for a certificate of authorization that will allow the fisher to take marine mammals incidentals to commercial fishing operations. Category I and II fisheries are those identified by NOAA as having either frequent or occasional takings of marine mammals.

Some states have integrated the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) registration process into the existing state fishery registration process and fishers in those fisheries do not need to file a separate Federal registration. If applicable, vessel owners will be notified of this simplified registration process when they apply for their state or Federal permit or license.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Frequency: Annually.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, [phone].

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

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 [phone], or [e-mail].

Dated: December 5, 2008.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.