E8-20415. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; International Dolphin Conservation Program

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

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.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before November 3, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Susan Wang, [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collects information to implement the International Dolphin Conservation Program Act (Act). The Act allows entry of yellowfin tuna into the United States (U.S.), under specific conditions, from nations in the International Dolphin Conservation 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 (ETP) 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.

The regulations implementing the Act are at 50 CFR parts 216 and 300. The recordkeeping and reporting requirements at 50 CFR parts 216 and 300 form the basis for this collection of information. This collection includes permit applications, notifications, tuna tracking forms, reports, and certifications that provide information on vessel characteristics and operations in the ETP, the origin of tuna and tuna products, and certain other information necessary to implement the Act.

II. Method of Collection

Paper applications, other paper records, electronic and facsimile reports, and telephone calls are required from participants. Methods of submittal include transmission of paper forms via regular mail and facsimile as well as electronic submission via e-mail or an ETP site (password protected).

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0387.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; and Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 101.

Estimated Time per Response: 35 minutes for a vessel permit application; 10 minutes for an operator permit application; 30 minutes for a request for a waiver to transit the ETP 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; 35 minutes for written notification to request active status for a small tuna purse seine vessel; 5 minutes for written notification to request inactive status for a small tuna purse seine vessel; 5 minutes for written notification of the intent to transfer a tuna purse seine vessel to foreign registry and flag; 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: 328.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $950.

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: August 28, 2008.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.