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###### Department of Commerce

###### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

# AGENCY:

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

# ACTION:

Notice of information collection, request for comment.

# SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

# DATES:

To ensure consideration, written or on-line comments must be submitted on or before March 25, 2024.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at                         *NOAA.PRA@noaa.gov.*                         Please reference OMB Control Number 0648-0179 in the subject line of your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Jerod Cook, Enforcement Officer, PO Box 1310 Petersburg, Alaska 99833 (907) 772-2285;                         *jerod.cook@noaa.gov*                         or Robert Marvelle, Supervisory Enforcement Officer, PO Box 21767 Juneau, Alaska 99802, (907) 586-9329;                         *robert.marvelle@noaa.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. Abstract

                    This is a request for extension of an approved information collection. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361*et seq.*) mandates the protection and conservation of marine mammals and makes the taking, killing or serious injury of marine mammals, except under permit or exemption, a violation of the Act. An exemption is provided for Alaskan natives to take marine mammals if the taking is for subsistence or for creating and selling authentic native articles of handicraft and clothing. Possession of marine mammals and marine mammal parts by other than Alaskan natives is therefore prohibited (exception, 50 CFR 216.26: beach found non-Endangered Species Act (ESA) teeth or bones that have been registered with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)). As native handicrafts are allowed by the MMPA to enter interstate commerce, an exemption is also needed to allow non-natives to handle the skins or other marine mammal produce, whether to tan the pinniped hide or to act as an agent for the native to sell his handicraft products. The information is necessary for law enforcement purposes to ensure that only Alaska Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos are submitting marine mammal hides or parts for tanning.                

The information required by 50 CFR 216.23 is of two types. Applications: Information is required to identify the applicant as a tanner/agent in order to preclude prosecution under the MMPA and to determine that he/she has an acceptable record keeping program to accurately account for those marine mammal products received. This information serves as a deterrent for those individuals who might use this registration program for entering prohibited marine mammal products into interstate commerce. Reports: Information is also needed annually to evaluate the agent/tanner's activities during the year, and his/her procedures for bookkeeping and yearly inventory to assure NMFS, the Marine Mammal Commission, and the general public that prohibited marine mammal products were not being transshipped through registered agents.

The reporting requirements are: report in writing to the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, any changes in the facts stated in Registrant's applications for this Certificate of Registration within 30 days of such change; maintain current records of each transaction authorized stating the marine mammals or marine mammal parts or products involved, from whom received, any processing accomplished, to whom returned, and the date of each such transaction. These records shall be kept separate and apart from other records maintained in the ordinary course of business and shall be retrained for not less than three years; and annually, during the month of January, send certified copies of such records (annual report) to the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries.

## II. Method of Collection

Paper documentation is submitted to meet the requirements found at 50 CFR 216.23(c).

## III. Data

*OMB Control Number:*                     0648-0179.                

*Form Number(s):*                     None.                

*Type of Review:*                     Regular submission (extension of an existing information collection).                

*Affected Public:*                     Business or other for profit organizations.                

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     25.                

*Estimated Time per Response:*                     2 hours for an application and 2 hours for a report.                

*Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:*                     50.                

*Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public:*                     $150.00.                

*Respondent's Obligation:*                     Mandatory.                

*Legal Authority:*                     Paper documentation is submitted to meet the requirements found at 50 CFR 216.23(c).                

## IV. Request for Comments

                    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to                           ( print page 4595)                        respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.                

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,

Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.

[FR Doc. 2024-01278 Filed 1-23-24; 8:45 am]

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