Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Reporting Requirements for Sea Otter Interactions with the Pacific Sardine Fishery; Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan, 11115 [2010-5117]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 11115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5117]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Reporting 
Requirements for Sea Otter Interactions with the Pacific Sardine 
Fishery; Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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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 May 10, 2010.

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 Gary Rule, (503) 230-5424 or Gary.Rule@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    In accordance with the regulations implementing the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) initiated 
an ESA section 7 consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFWS) regarding the possible effects of implementing 
Amendment 11 (71 FR 36999) to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP). USFWS determined that formal consultation was 
necessary on the possible effects to the threatened southern sea otter. 
USFWS completed a biological opinion for this action and although it 
was concluded that fishing activities were not likely to jeopardize the 
continued existence of the southern sea otter there remained the 
potential to incidentally take southern sea otters. USFWS determined 
that certain measures should be put in place to ensure the continued 
protection of the species. Therefore on May 30, 2007, NMFS published a 
final rule (72 FR 29891) implementing new reporting requirements and 
conservation measures under the CPS FMP. This included the requirement 
to report any interactions that may occur between a CPS vessel and/or 
fishing gear and sea otters.
    Specifically, these reporting requirements are:
    1. If a southern sea otter is entangled in a net, regardless of 
whether the animal is injured or killed, such an occurrence must be 
reported within 24 hours to the Regional Administrator, NMFS Southwest 
Region.
    2. While fishing for CPS, vessel operators must record all 
observations of otter interactions (defined as otters within encircled 
nets or coming into contact with nets or vessels, including but not 
limited to entanglement) with their purse seine net(s) or vessel(s). 
With the exception of an entanglement, which will be initially reported 
as described in 2 above, all other observations must be 
reported within 20 days to the Regional Administrator.
    When contacting NMFS after an interaction, fishermen are required 
to provide information regarding the location, specifically latitude 
and longitude, of the interaction and a description of the interaction 
itself. If available, location information should also include: Water 
depth; distance from shore; and, relation to port or other landmarks. 
Descriptive information of the interaction should include: Whether or 
not the otters were seen inside or outside the net; if inside the net, 
had the net been completely encircled; did contact occur with net or 
vessel; the number of otters present; duration of interaction; otter's 
behavior during interaction; and, measures taken to avoid interaction.

II. Method of Collection

    The information will be collected on forms submitted by mail, 
phone, facsimile or e-mail.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0566.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $10.

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: March 5, 2010.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-5117 Filed 3-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P