In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
06/30/2021
36 Months From Approved
06/30/2018
3,648
0
2,768
2,241
0
2,168
0
0
0
Fish tagging programs housed at the
Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (MDFWCO) have been
ongoing since 1985, when the office was first established. The main
purpose for establishment was to manage the striped bass
cooperative tagging program. This was part of a cooperative effort
among federal, state and non-governmental agencies to restore and
maintain a sustainable striped bass fishery along the Atlantic
coast. Today, tagging programs are still needed to provide
essential data for stock assessments to maintain ongoing commercial
and recreational striped bass fisheries worth millions of dollars.
Many other tagging programs are now managed by MDFWCO. All tagging
programs are conducted in partnership with state agencies,
universities, NGOs and/or private sector partners. The Atlantic and
shortnose sturgeon tagging program was started in 1992. Both
sturgeon species managed in the tagging program are listed as
endangered species and data is used in stock assessments to help
determine population status. Horseshoe crab tagging began in 1999
and has provided information on the distribution, migration, and
mortality of crabs. Horseshoe crabs are ecologically important for
migratory shorebirds, have a vital role within commercial fishing,
the biomedical industry, and ecologically. Another tagging program
for the northern snakehead, an invasive species, began in 2009.
Tagging was done in order to better inform management agencies in
charge of controlling snakehead populations. Information gained
from tagging has helped state and federal agencies determine
movement and growth rates, and abundance of snakehead within
certain areas, all of which as increased effectiveness of control
efforts.
US Code:
16
USC 742f Name of Law: Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956
US Code: 16
USC 661-666c Name of Law: Wildlife Coordination Act
US Code:
16 USC 1531-1544 Name of Law: Endangered Species Act of
1973
US Code: 16
USC 757a-g Name of Law: Anadrmous Fish Conservation Act
We are reporting a burden
increase of 880 responses and 73 hours due to the inclusion of
information collection requirements associated with the cooperative
fish tagging program (FWS Forms 3-2493 through 3-2496) previously
in use without OMB approval. We also updated the title of the
collection to more accurately reflect the purpose of the
collection.
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.