Sea turtles can become accidentally
entangled in active or discarded fixed fishing gear. These
entanglements may prevent the recovery of endangered and threatened
sea turtle populations. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
established the Sea Turtle Disentanglement Network to promote
reporting and increase successful disentanglement of sea turtles.
As there is limited to no observer coverage of pot gear fisheries,
NMFS relies on the U.S. Coast Guard, fishing industry, stranding
network, federal, state, and local authorities, and the public for
this information. The information provided will help NMFS better
assess pot gear fisheries (lobster, whelk/conch, crab, fish trap)
and their impacts on sea turtle populations in the northeast region
(Maine to Virginia).
US Code:
16 USC
35 Name of Law: Endangered Species Act of 1973
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.