This request is for an extension of a
currently approved information collection. The United States’
(U.S.) participation in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission
(IATTC) results in certain record keeping requirements for U.S.
vessel owners and operators who fish in the IATTC’s area of
management responsibility. Under Federal regulations (50 CFR Part
300 Subpart C), these vessel owners and operators must maintain a
log of all operations conducted from the fishing vessel, entering
the date, noon position (latitude and longitude or in relation to
known physical features), and the tonnage of fish aboard by
species. This record keeping requirement may be met by using the
bridge log, which is furnished and collected from vessel owners and
operators by the IATTC. As a practical matter, all U.S. vessel
owners and operators use the IATTC log rather than having to
maintain two logbooks, and there is no separate National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) form now in use. In addition, vessel
owners and operators would be required to collect data specifically
on fish aggregating devices (FADs) to meet international
obligations under IATTC Resolution C-16-01. Owners and operators of
a FAD would be required to record this information on the standard
form developed by the IATTC Secretariat and provided to the owners
and operators by NMFS Regional Administrator. The record keeping
requirements provide information that is needed to assess the
impacts of fishing on tuna stocks and non-target species, to better
understand the number and type of FADs, and to evaluate the
effectiveness of management measures. The authority to implement
Federal rules to meet U.S. responsibilities to the IATTC is set
forth in the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (16 U.S.C.
951 et seq).
US Code:
16
USC 951-962 Name of Law: Tuna Conventions Act of 1950
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.