[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 6, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 470] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-221] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Mandatory Catch Reporting; Proposed Collection; Comment Request 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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 9, 1998. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Christopher Rogers, F/SF1, Station 14709, 1315 East-west Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282 (301-713-2347). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The National Marine and Fisheries Service in cooperation with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is implementing a pilot mandatory reporting program to conduct a census of the Recreational Winter Bluefin Tuna Harvest in North Carolina. Information on catch levels will be reported to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and will be used for stock assessment and in developing international catch sharing agreements. Anglers that currently report through an automated phone system will be exempted from this requirement during this pilot program. This collection was initially approved under emergency clearance procedures; this notice invites comments on plans to submit a regular clearance request to extend that approval for three years. II. Method of Collection Anglers will fill out catch cards and be given harvest tags that allow the angler to remove the fish from the vessel. III. Data OMB Number: 0648-0339. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular Submission. Affected Public: Individuals. Estimated Number of Respondents: 700. Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 117. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: None. 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: December 31, 1997. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 98-221 Filed 1-5-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P