Reporting injury and /or mortalities of marine mammals is mandated under Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This information is required to determine the impacts of commercial fishing on marine mammal populations. This information is also used to categorize commercial fisheries into Category I, II or III. Participants in the first two categories have to be authorized to take marine mammals, while those in Category III are exempt from that requirements. All categories must report injuries or mortalities on the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal Authorization Program marine mammal mortality/injury form.
In the previous submission, the hours were calculated in error, multiplying the responses by 0.15 hours (9 minutes), rather than 15 minutes. The total burden has been adjusted to the correct figure of 50.
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.