The Large Pelagic Fishing Survey
consists of dockside and telephone surveys of recreational anglers
for large pelagic fish (tunas, sharks, and billfish) in the
Atlantic Ocean. The survey provides National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) with information to monitor catch of bluefin tuna
and marlin. Catch monitoring in these fisheries and collection of
catch and effort statistics for all pelagic fish is required under
the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act. The information collected is
essential for the United States (U.S.) to meet its reporting
obligations to the International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tuna. We are requesting two minor changes to the Large
Pelagics Telephone Survey (LPTS) to be piloted in Puerto Rico only:
1) changes to the questionnaire used for the LPTS, and 2) addition
of an electronic Internet reporting option for respondents in
Puerto Rico as an alternative to the traditional phone interview or
fax options
US Code:
16
USC 971 Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Conventions Act
The net increase of 25 hours is
based on the addition of 5 questions for Puerto Rico respondents to
the telephone survey, with the option of completing the survey
online.
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.