Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Commerce has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Title: Reporting of Sea Turtle Entanglement in Pot Gear Fisheries.

Form Number(s): None.

OMB Approval Number: None.

Type of Request: Emergency.

Burden Hours: 30.

Number of Respondents: 15.

Average Hours Per Response: 60 minutes for a telephone call.

Needs and Uses: This collection of information involves Sea turtles becoming accidentally entangled in active or discarded fixed fishing gear. These entanglements may prevent the recovery of endangered and threatened sea turtle populations. NOAA Fisheries has established the Sea Turtle Disentanglement Network to promote reporting and increase successful disentanglement of sea turtles. Since there is limited to no observer coverage of pot gear fisheries, NOAA Fisheries relies on the U.S. Coast Guard, fishing industry, stranding network, federal , state, and local authorities, and the public for this information.

The information provided will help NOAA Fisheries better assess pot gear fisheries (lobster, whelk/conch, crab, fish trap) and their impact on sea turtle populations in the northeast region (Maine to Virginia).

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; Individuals or households; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government; and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Frequency: On occasion.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, (202) 395-3897.

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov).

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent by May 27, 2004 to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, FAX number 202-395-7285, or David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov.