Notice2026-11778
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; South Pacific Tuna Act
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 11, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 112 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35464-35465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11778]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; South Pacific Tuna Act
AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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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, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before August 10, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d19f9e9090ff81839091bfbeb0b0ffb6bea7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="743a3b35355a242635341a1b15155a131b02">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0218 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 Katrina Poremba, Fishery Policy Analyst, NOAA Fisheries, 1845 Wasp
Blvd., Bldg. #176 Honolulu, HI 96818, (808) 725-5096,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8c8d1ca96cfdbc8dedbf8d6d7d9d996dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="43332a316d3420332520032d2c22226d242c35">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This is a request for renewal of an approved information
collection. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
collects vessel license, vessel registration, catch, and unloading
information from operators of U.S. purse seine vessels fishing under
the provisions of the Treaty on Fisheries between the Governments of
Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States
of America (Treaty). The Treaty provides access for U.S. purse seine
vessels to fish in the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Pacific
Island Parties to the Treaty (PIPs). The PIPs include Australia, Cook
Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall
Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa,
Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. This collection of
information is required to meet U.S. obligations under the Treaty.
The South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 (16 U.S.C. 973-973r) and U.S.
implementing regulations (50 CFR part 300, subpart D) authorize the
collection of information from U.S. purse seine vessels fishing in the
EEZs of PIPs under the Treaty. Vessel operators must submit annual
vessel license and registration (including registration of vessel
monitoring system (VMS) units) applications and periodic written
reports of catch and unloading of fish from licensed vessels. They are
also required to ensure the continued operation of VMS units on board
licensed vessels, which is expected to
[[Page 35465]]
require periodic maintenance of the units. The information collected is
submitted to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) through
the U.S. government, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
The license and registration application information is used by the FFA
to determine the operational capability and financial responsibility of
a vessel operator interested in fishing under the Treaty. Information
obtained from vessel catch and unloading reports is used by the FFA to
assess fishing effort and fishery resources in the region and to track
the amount of fish caught within each PIP's EEZ. Maintenance of VMS
units is needed to ensure the continuous operation of the VMS units,
which, as part of the VMS administered by the FFA, are used as an
enforcement tool. If the information is not collected, the U.S.
government will not meet its obligations under the Treaty, and the lack
of fishing information will result in poor management of the fishery
resources.
II. Method of Collection
All information is to be submitted in hard copy via mail or through
electronic reporting.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0218.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission [extension of a current
information collection].
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
Estimated Time per Response: License application, 1 hour; VMS
registration application, 45 minutes; catch report, 1 hour; unloading
log sheet, 30 minutes, expression of interest, 2 hours and renewal, 15
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 222 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $119,626 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 973-973r.
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 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,
Departmental PRA Compliance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2026-11778 Filed 6-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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