The MMPA requires any commercial
fisher operating in Category 1 and 11 fisheries to register for a
certificate of exemption that will protect the fisher from
prosecution under the Act for violation of the moratorium on taking
marine mammals. The Proposed List of Fisheries for 1997 would
require 14,000 additional fishers to register. In addition, the
actual number of applicants for 1996 was considerably less than the
expected 13,000. NMFS is, therefore, adjusting the reporting burden
to reflect these changes.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.