Reporting of Sea Turtle
Incidental Takes in Virginia Chesapeake Bay Pound Net
Operations
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
10/05/2021
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
11/30/2021
1,003
1,003
167
167
0
231
This request is for extension of a
current information collection. This action would continue the
reporting measure requiring all Virginia Chesapeake Bay pound net
fishermen to report interactions with endangered and threatened sea
turtles, found both live and dead, in their pound net operations.
This reporting is required under Endangered Species Act (ESA)
regulations, and is necessary to ensure sea turtles are being
conserved and protected, as mandated by the ESA. When a live or
dead sea turtle is discovered during a pound net trip, the Virginia
pound net fisherman is required to report the incidental take to
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and, if necessary, the
appropriate rehabilitation and stranding network. This information
will be used to monitor the level of incidental take in the
state-managed Virginia pound net fishery and ensure that the
seasonal pound net leader restrictions (50 CFR 223.206(d)(10)) are
adequately protecting listed sea turtles.
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.