Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Individual Bluefin Tuna Quota Tracking, 35933 [2017-16193]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 35933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16193]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species (HMS) Individual Bluefin Tuna Quota Tracking

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

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 October 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at pracomments@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Margo Schulze-Haugen, (301) 427-8503 or Margo.Schulze-Haugen@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan 
(79 FR 71510, December 2, 2014) implemented individual bluefin tuna 
quota (IBQ) shares and allocations for vessels permitted in the 
Atlantic Tunas Longline Category and Atlantic Tunas Purse Seine 
Category. IBQs are intended to fairly and effectively allocate limited 
quota for incidental capture of bluefin tuna among vessels in the 
Longline category, while minimizing dead discards and discouraging 
interactions with bluefin tuna, and better utilizing the Purse seine 
category quota. An on-line system developed by the NOAA National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) tracks allocations and allocation leases, and 
reconciles leases with bluefin tuna catches for quota monitoring. The 
extension of this collection of information will allow NMFS to continue 
to account for the reporting burden associated with allocation and 
lease tracking. There are no new requirements.
    First-time vessel permit holders in the affected categories must 
obtain and set up an IBQ account in the online ``Catch Shares Online 
System'' in order to be issued IBQ shares and resultant allocation, and 
to lease IBQ. To use the electronic IBQ System, first-time participants 
will need to request an account and set their account up with 
background information. The information collected during account 
issuance and set-up will be used by NMFS to verify the identity of the 
individual/business and whether they qualify for IBQ allocation 
leasing.
    The lease monitoring information collected by the online system 
will be used by each permit holder to keep track of their individual 
IBQ allocation, and document allocation leases with other IBQ 
participants. NMFS will use these data to ensure proper accounting of 
allocations among participants, and to track use of quota allocations 
and reconcile allocation usage with bluefin tuna catch and landings.
    Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under the dual authority of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and the 
Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). Under the MSA, management 
measures must be consistent with ten National Standards, and fisheries 
must be managed to maintain optimum yield, rebuild overfished 
fisheries, and prevent overfishing. Under ATCA, the Secretary of 
Commerce shall promulgate regulations, as necessary and appropriate, to 
implement measures adopted by the International Commission for the 
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected on line using the electronic IBQ 
System.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0677.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (extension of a current information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households; and State, Local, or Tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 120.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes for initial application for 
IBQ account; 15 minutes per IBQ allocation lease.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 29.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,100 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs (total annualized expense for 5% of respondents who may 
not have a computer and choose to purchase one).

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: July 27, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-16193 Filed 8-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P