Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation and Management Measures

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 July 5, 2019.

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 Mi Ae Kim, Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910, telephone number ((301) 427-8365), and email address (mi.ae.kim@noaa.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The 1982 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (Convention) established the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The United States is a Contracting Party to the Convention. The Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act (AMLRCA) directs and authorizes the United States to take actions necessary to meet its treaty obligations as a Contracting Party to the Convention. The regulations implementing AMLRCA are at 50 CFR part 300, subpart G. The record keeping and reporting requirements at 50 CFR part 300 form the basis for this collection of information. This collection of information concerns research in, and the harvesting and importation/re-exportation of, marine living resources regulated by CCAMLR related to ecosystem research, U.S. harvesting permit application and/or harvesting vessel operators, and to importers and re-exporters of Antarctic marine living resources. The collection is necessary in order for the United States to meet its treaty obligations as a contracting party to the Convention.

II. Method of Collection

Paper applications, electronic reports, satellite-linked vessel monitoring devices, radio and telephone calls, gear and vessel markings are required from participants and methods of transmittal include internet, satellite, facsimile, and mail transmission of forms, reports, and information.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-0194.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Regular submission, extension of a current information collection.

Affected Public: Individuals; business or other for-profit organizations; not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1 research entity; 2 vessel owners; 50 dealers.

Estimated Time per Response: One hour to apply for a CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) research permit; 1 hour to report on research; 28 hours to supply information on potential new or exploratory fishing; 2 hours to apply for a harvesting permit; 2 minutes to transmit information by radio; 4 hours to install a vessel monitoring device (VMS); 2 hours for annual VMS maintenance; 45 minutes to mark a vessel; 40 minutes to mark buoys; 10 hours to mark pot gear; 6 minutes to mark trawl nets; 15 minutes to provide notice of transshipment within the Convention Area; 15 minutes to apply for a permit to be a first receiver of Antarctic marine living resources; 15 minutes to complete and submit a toothfish catch document; 15 minutes to apply for pre-approval of toothfish imports; 15 minutes to complete and submit re-export catch documents; 15 minutes to submit import tickets.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $86,000.

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.