Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Recreational Landings and Bluefin Tuna Catch Reports
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
03/26/2026
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
05/31/2026
18,681
17,794
1,557
1,677
0
0
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationâs (NOAAâs) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requests the approval of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a revision and extension of the existing collection of information under OMB Control Number 0648-0328 for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Recreational Landings and Bluefin Tuna Catch Reports. Under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) of 1975, the Secretary of Commerce is required to promulgate regulations as may be necessary and appropriate to implement binding recommendations adopted by the International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). ICCAT requires the United States to collect biological statistics for research purposes and establishes annual quotas that limit the overall U.S. bluefin tuna and swordfish catches and U.S. recreational marlin landings. Timely access to recreational bluefin tuna catch data (e.g., landings and dead discards) and swordfish and marlin landings is vital to effectively monitor and manage the U.S. quotas. This collection provides such access so that managers can implement appropriate measures to limit catch or landings as necessary. This information collection request (ICR) is being modified to reflect the decision by the states of Maryland and North Carolina to discontinue their state catch card programs, which will necessitate HMS permit holders to shift to using the existing Federal reporting options for their HMS catch reports. The state of North Carolina discontinued their HMS catch card program in April 2025, while the state of Marylandâs program was discontinued in December 2025. This ICR has been revised to reflect that shift in reporting burden. Previously submitted revisions pursuant to proposed rule 0648-BM23 will be addressed by a separate action.
US Code:
16 USC 1801 et seq.
Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
US Code:
16 USC 971 et seq.
Name of Law: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975
As of the end of last year, both the NC and MD HMS Catch Card programs were discontinued; therefore, we are using this renewal to remove four of the ICs related to those responses and burden.
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.
NC Catch Card
0648-0328 30-Day 91 FR 14680 2026-0326.pdf
0648-0328 Supporting Statement Part A_2026-0320.docx
Bluefin Tuna Landing Cards for MD and NC