[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27704-27705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13381]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Fish Tagging Report

ACTION: Proposed Collection; Comment Request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Dave Rosenthal, Southeast Fisheries Science 
Center, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL 33149 (305) 361-4253.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Cooperative Gamefish Tagging Program (CGFTP) was initiated in 
1971 as part of a comprehensive research program resulting from passage 
of Public Law 86-395 and other legislative acts under which the 
National Marine Fisheries Service operates. The program attempts to 
determine the migratory patterns and other biological information of 
billfish, tunas, and other highly migratory species. The Fish Tagging 
Report card and the Fish Tag Issue Report card are necessary when a tag 
is used. They are provided to the angler with the tags. When an angler 
receives the tags, he/she returns the Tag Issue Report card to NMFS to 
register the series of tags that were issued. When the angler releases 
a fish, he/she takes the Fish Tagging Report Card with a tag attached, 
removes the numbered tag, applies the tag to the fish, and then mails 
the completed card (which has a number matching the tag number) to 
NMFS, where the data is stored.

II. Method of Collection

    Fishermen volunteer to tag and release their catch. When requested, 
NMFS provides the volunteers with fish tags for their use when they 
release their fish. Usually a group of five tags are sent at one time. 
When the angler receives their tags, they respond by completing the Tag 
Issue Report card and submits this to NMFS. When a tag is applied to a 
fish, the corresponding data is reported on the Fish Tagging Report 
card and submitted to NMFS. When a tagged fish is recaptured, the tag 
has the address of NMFS and a tag number. The person with the tagged 
fish can mail it back to NMFS where information on the fish is recorded 
and matched with the release data. The Tag Recapture Card is cleared 
under OMB Approval Number 0648-0259.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0247.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.

[[Page 27705]]

    Estimated Time per Response: 2 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 300.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no capital expenditures 
are required).

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 14, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-13381 Filed 5-19-98; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P