[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37878-37879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13528]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Billfish Tagging Report

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

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before August 24, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0009 in the subject line of your 
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise 
sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Nicole Nasby-Lucas, Fisheries Biologist, NOAA Southwest Fisheries 
Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla CA 92037, (858-
334-2826), or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Southwest 
Fisheries Science Center operates a conventional mark-recapture 
billfish tagging program. The Billfish Tagging Program (Program) began 
in 1963 and is an integral part of the Billfish Research Program at the 
Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). This Program is authorized 
under 16 U.S.C. 760(e), Study of

[[Page 37879]]

migratory game fish; waters; research; purpose.
    The SWFSC provides tagging supplies to individuals electing to tag 
and release the billfish they catch (the Program is advertised by a 
newsletter and fishermen hear in this way and also by word of mouth 
from others catching billfish). Each Billfish Tagging Report Card is 
issued with an individual billfish tag and is imprinted with the number 
matching the accompanying tag. The Billfish Tagging Report Card is the 
primary mechanism by which these cooperating anglers and commercial 
fishers return the tag and release information concerning the billfish 
they have tagged. Individuals cooperating in the Program do so on a 
strictly voluntary basis.
    Tagging supplies are provided to volunteer anglers. When anglers 
catch and release a tagged fish, they submit a brief report on the fish 
and the location of the tagging. The Program is conducted throughout 
the year to determine billfish habitat, mortality rates, migration 
patterns, feeding habits, and growth rates. Fishery biologists 
investigating the health of billfish resources throughout the Pacific 
utilize data from this Program. Results aid in ongoing research 
concerning billfish resources and are published annually in the 
Billfish Newsletter.

II. Method of Collection

    Information is submitted by mail, via a paper form the size of a 
postcard.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0009.
    Form Number(s): NOAA 88-162.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 83.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: This program is authorized under 16 U.S.C. 760(e), 
Study of migratory game fish; waters; research; purpose.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-13528 Filed 6-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P