This information collection includes
mandatory catch reporting for the Atlantic bluefin tuna hand gear
fishery and recreational fisheries for Atlantic bluefin tuna,
Atlantic swordfish, Atlantic blue marlin, Atlantic white marlin,
and Atlantic sailfish. Fishermen harvesting these species must
report through a toll-free telephone system, an Internet site,
smartphone app, or through recreational landing card programs
administered by some states. Catch monitoring and collection of
catch and effort statistics in these fisheries are required under
the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act. The information collected through
this program is essential for the United States to meet its
reporting obligations to the International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and to ensure that the
harvest of these species remains within ICCAT required quotas and
landings limits.
US Code:
16 USC 1801 et seq. Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
US Code:
16 USC 971 et seq. Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act
of 1975
The number of fish caught and
number of permitted fishermen during recent years is used to
estimate future responses and burden. Landings and catch varies
from year to year. Additionally, reporting compliance has
increased. For this renewal, these changes in landings and
permit-holders resulted in an adjustment of: + 200 hours.
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.