Section 302(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires disclosure of financial interests in any harvesting, processing, or any marketing activities by nominees and members of the Fishery Management Councils.
The recently enrolled version of HR 5496, Section 103, amends Section 302(j)to state that in addition to being kept on file by the Council, disclosure of interest information be made available on the Internet, and
"On January 1, 2008, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Resources on action taken by the Secretary and the Councils to implement the disclosure of financial interest and recusal requirements of this subsection, including identification of any conflict of interest problems with respect to the Councils and scientific and statistical committees and recommendations for addressing any such problems."
Thus, the instructions on the disclosure of interest forms will now include the information about availability on the Internet and about the Secretary's report.
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.