02-12777. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; International Dolphin Conservation Program

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION:

Notice.

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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before July 22, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Cathy Campbell, 562-980-4060 or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collects information to implement the International Dolphin Conservation Program Act. The Act allows entry of yellowfin tuna into the United States, under specific conditions, from nations in the Program that would otherwise be under embargo. The Act also allows U.S. fishing vessels to participate in the yellowfin tuna fishery in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean on terms equivalent with the vessels of other nations. NOAA collects information to allow tracking and verification of “dolphin safe” and “non-dolphin safe” tuna products from catch through the U.S. market.

NOAA has modified the existing information collection by requiring that any wholesaler or distributer of any tuna or tuna products labeled as “dolphin-safe” produce documentary evidence concerning the origin of the tuna or products within 30 days of receiving a written request from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). NMFS expects that this will result in an annual information burden on 20 additional respondents.

In addition, NMFS has modified the existing information collection by eliminating the requirement that canneries provide 48 hours notice of receipt of tuna shipment and eliminating the requirement that processors provide NMFS with copies of their receiving reports on a real-time basis. This has resulted in an overall reduction in the number of annual burden hours and the estimated annual cost to the public of this information collection.

II. Method of Collection

Paper forms, other paper records, telephone calls, and radio transmissions.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0387.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 58.

Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes for a vessel permit application; 10 minutes for an operator permit application; 30 minutes for a request for a waiver to transit the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean without a permit (and subsequent radio reporting); 10 minutes for a notification of vessel departure; 10 minutes for a change in permit operator; 10 minutes for notification of a net modification; 10 hours for an experimental fishing operation waiver; 15 minutes for a request for a Dolphin Mortality Limit; 10 minutes for notification of vessel arrival; 60 minutes for a tuna tracking form; 10 minutes for a monthly tuna storage removal report; 60 minutes for a monthly tuna receiving report; and 30 minutes for a special report documenting the origin of tuna (if requested by the NOAA Administrator).

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 144.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $847.

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: May 16, 2002.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.