Any persons setting trap/pot of
gillnet gear to fish commercially in some areas of the Atlantic
Ocean are required to paint or otherwise mark their gear with one
or two color codes, designating the type of gear and area where the
gear is set. The surface buoys of this gear need to be marked to
identify the vessel or fishery. These marking requirements apply in
the various management areas under the Atlantic Large Whale Take
Reduction Plan (ALWTRP), developed under the authority of the
Marine Mammal Protection Act. The goal of this collection of
information is to enable the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) to reduce injuries and deaths of large whales, especially
right whales, due to incidental entanglement in United States
commercial fishing gear. In order to develop fair and effective
management measures, the Take Reduction Team (Team) requires
comprehensive data on when, where, and how fixed gear vessels fish,
and where whales become entangled in fishing gear.
US Code:
16 USC
31 Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
The number of respondents has
decreased slightly based on reported fishing behavior in 2017
compared to 2014. The number of responses and burden hours per
respondent have also declined because 2016 estimates included new
markings. Gear is already marked so new numbers reflect annual
replacement estimates.
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.