Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; International Dolphin Conservation Program, 51445 [E8-20415]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 51445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20415]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


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 dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Susan Wang, (562) 980-4199 or susan.wang@noaa.gov.

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.
[FR Doc. E8-20415 Filed 9-2-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P