Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Section 402, the Secretary (i.e., Secretary of Commerce, who has delegated responsibility under this Act to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Assistant Administrator for Fisheries is responsible for collecting information on strandings, which the Secretary will compile and analyze, by region, to monitor species, numbers, conditions, and causes of illnesses and deaths of stranded marine mammals. The Secretary is also responsible for collection of information on other life history and reference level data, including marine mammal tissue analyses, that would allow comparison of the causes of illness and deaths in stranded marine mammals with physical, chemical, and biological environmental parameters.
US Code:
16 USC 1421a
Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act
Adjustments:
Based on recent submissions, we estimate 5,800 responses per year, an increase of 1,000 from the last extension. There is an associated increase of 500 hours.
There is an increase in cost associated with increased postage, but due to increased electronic submission, there is a net decrease from $2,592 to $1,299.
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.