NMFS Observer Programs’ Information That Can Be Gathered Only Through Questions

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Drift gillnet trip expense form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Safety checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Drift gillnet trip expenditure form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Safety checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Reef fish and shrimp observer evaluation form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Reef fish and shrimp safety checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Observer notification form_shripm	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Observer notification form_reef fish	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Reimbursement for insurance expenses	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Reimbursement for equipment expenses	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Observer evaluation form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Safety checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Observer Notification Form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Reimbursement for for assistance with bluefin tuna samplin	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Observer evaluation form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Reimbursement form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Safety checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Observer notification form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Longline trip expenditures for Hawaiian Islands	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Longline trip expenditures for American Samoa	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Longline Gear Configuration	Form	New	Available
Post cruise observer evaluation	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Placement meeting questions and checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Fishermen's data request form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Safety checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Fishermen's Data Request Form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Safety checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Data release form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Fishermen's comment card	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Tagged Fish and Crab Form	Form	New	Available
Safety checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Vessel/Plant Operator Comment Card Follow-up Form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Vessel/Plant Operator Comment Form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Vessel reimbursement form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Vessel and Trip Information Log	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Safety checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Pre-Deployment Safety Checklist	Form and Instruction	New	Available
NEFOP captain interview form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Fishermen's Comment Log	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Fishermen's Comment Card	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Data release form	Form and Instruction	New	Available
Twin trawl haul log	Form	New	Available
Trawl haul log	Form	New	Available
Trawl gear characteristics log	Form	New	Available
Sea turtle biological sample log	Form	New	Available
Scallop trawl off-watch haul log	Form	New	Available
Scallop trawl haul log	Form	New	Available
Scallop trawl gear characteristics log	Form	New	Available
Scallop dredge off-watch haul log	Form	New	Available
Scallop dredge haul log	Form	New	Available
Scallop dredge gear characteristics log	Form	New	Available
Purse Seine Set Log	Form	New	Available
Purse seine gear characteristics log	Form	New	Available
Protected species sighting log	Form	New	Available
Pair and single midwater haul log	Form	New	Available
Pair and single midwater gear characteristics log	Form	New	Available
Marine mammal/sea turtle/sea bird incidental take log	Form	New	Available
Marine mammal biological sample log	Form	New	Available
Longline haul log	Form	New	Available
Longline gear characteristics log	Form	New	Available
Lobster, crab and fish pot haul log	Form	New	Available
Lobster, crab and fish pot gear characteristics	Form	New	Available
Length Frequency Log	Form	New	Available
Individual Animal Log	Form	New	Available
Gillnet haul log	Form	New	Available
Gillnet Characteristics Log	Form	New	Available
Crustacean Sample Log	Form	New	Available
Clam/Quohog dredge off-watch haul log	Form	New	Available
Clam/Quahog Dredge Haul Log	Form	New	Available
Clam/quohog dredge gear characteristics log	Form	New	Available
Catch Estimation Worksheet	Form	New	Available
Carch composition log	Form	New	Available
Beach seine/beach anchored gillnet haul log	Form	New	Available
Beach Sein Gear/Beach Anchored Gillnet Gear Characteristics	Form	New	Available
OPIT ss 071009rev Part B.pdf	Supporting Statement B	Uploaded 2009-08-03	Available
OPIT ss 071009rev PART A.pdf	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2009-08-03	Available
OPIT ATT C - summary of sampling methods.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-08-03	Available
OPT_ATT B_Questions that need PRA clearance.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-07-10	Available
OPIT_ATT A_PFMC groundfish plan.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-07-10	Available
OPIT_memo explaining violation.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-07-10	Available

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
189859	Southwest Region Observer Program - currently unfunded but requesting burden approval	Form and Instruction	New	Drift gillnet trip expense form
189859	Southwest Region Observer Program - currently unfunded but requesting burden approval	Form and Instruction	New	Safety checklist
189859	Southwest Region Observer Program - currently unfunded but requesting burden approval	Other-PRA statement	New
189855	Southwest Region Observer Program - Funded	Form and Instruction	New	Drift gillnet trip expenditure form
189855	Southwest Region Observer Program - Funded	Form and Instruction	New	Safety checklist
189855	Southwest Region Observer Program - Funded	Other-PRA statement	New
189854	Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Shrimp Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Reef fish and shrimp observer evaluation form
189854	Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Shrimp Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Reef fish and shrimp safety checklist
189854	Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Shrimp Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Observer notification form_shripm
189854	Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Shrimp Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Observer notification form_reef fish
189854	Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Shrimp Observer Program	Instruction	New
189853	Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Reimbursement for insurance expenses
189853	Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Reimbursement for equipment expenses
189853	Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Observer evaluation form
189853	Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Safety checklist
189853	Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Observer Notification Form
189853	Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	Instruction	New
189853	Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Reimbursement for for assistance with bluefin tuna samplin
189852	Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Observer evaluation form
189852	Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Reimbursement form
189852	Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Safety checklist
189852	Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Observer notification form
189852	Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program	Instruction	New
189851	Pacific Islands Region Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Longline trip expenditures for Hawaiian Islands
189851	Pacific Islands Region Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Longline trip expenditures for American Samoa
189851	Pacific Islands Region Observer Program	Form	New	Longline Gear Configuration
189851	Pacific Islands Region Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Post cruise observer evaluation
189851	Pacific Islands Region Observer Program	Other-PRA statement	New
189851	Pacific Islands Region Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Placement meeting questions and checklist
189850	WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Fishermen's data request form
189850	WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Safety checklist
189850	WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Program	Instruction	New
189842	At-Sea Hake Observer Program (Northwest)	Form and Instruction	New	Fishermen's Data Request Form
189842	At-Sea Hake Observer Program (Northwest)	Form and Instruction	New	Safety checklist
189842	At-Sea Hake Observer Program (Northwest)	Other-PRA statement	New
189838	Alaska Marine Mammal Observer program	Form and Instruction	New	Data release form
189838	Alaska Marine Mammal Observer program	Other-PRA statement	New
189838	Alaska Marine Mammal Observer program	Form and Instruction	New	Fishermen's comment card
189835	North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program	Form	New	Tagged Fish and Crab Form
189835	North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Safety checklist
189835	North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Vessel/Plant Operator Comment Card Follow-up Form
189835	North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program	Form and Instruction	New	Vessel/Plant Operator Comment Form
189835	North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program	Other-PRA statement	New
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form and Instruction	New	Vessel reimbursement form
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form and Instruction	New	Vessel and Trip Information Log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form and Instruction	New	Safety checklist
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form and Instruction	New	Pre-Deployment Safety Checklist
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form and Instruction	New	NEFOP captain interview form
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form and Instruction	New	Fishermen's Comment Log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form and Instruction	New	Fishermen's Comment Card
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form and Instruction	New	Data release form
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Instruction	New
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Twin trawl haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Trawl haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Trawl gear characteristics log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Sea turtle biological sample log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Scallop trawl off-watch haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Scallop trawl haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Scallop trawl gear characteristics log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Scallop dredge off-watch haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Scallop dredge haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Scallop dredge gear characteristics log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Purse Seine Set Log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Purse seine gear characteristics log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Protected species sighting log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Pair and single midwater haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Pair and single midwater gear characteristics log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Marine mammal/sea turtle/sea bird incidental take log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Marine mammal biological sample log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Longline haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Longline gear characteristics log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Lobster, crab and fish pot haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Lobster, crab and fish pot gear characteristics
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Length Frequency Log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Individual Animal Log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Gillnet haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Gillnet Characteristics Log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Crustacean Sample Log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Clam/Quohog dredge off-watch haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Clam/Quahog Dredge Haul Log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Clam/quohog dredge gear characteristics log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Catch Estimation Worksheet
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Carch composition log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Beach seine/beach anchored gillnet haul log
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	Form	New	Beach Sein Gear/Beach Anchored Gillnet Gear Characteristics

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0593	ICR Reference No: 200907-0648-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: NMFS Observer Programs’ Information That Can Be Gathered Only Through Questions
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 09/17/2009
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 08/03/2009
Terms of Clearance:

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	09/30/2012	36 Months From Approved
Responses	13,927	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	17,455	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,000	0	0

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Abstract: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) observer programs provide the only reliable and/or most effective method for obtaining information that is critical for the conservation and management of living marine resources. Most of the information collected by the observer programs is obtained through direct observations or through non-standardized oral communication in connection with such direct observations; and such collections generally do not require a Paperwork Reduction |Act (PRA) clearance. There was confusion on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s part as to whether the NMFS observer programs were essentially exempt from the requirements of the PRA for all of their information collections. After a recent review of this issue, NOAA and Department of Commerce (DOC) General Counsels agreed that only information obtained through direct observations or through non-standardized oral communication in connection with such direct observations is currently definitionally excluded by the PRA and NOAA should seek PRA clearance for observer information collections that require such a clearance and should seek Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval under normal procedures as quickly as possible. This request is for the current non-exempt information collections in which information is collected principally by asking fishing vessel permit holders, captains, and crew questions concerning the operations of their fishing vessels and by asking fish processing plant managers and staff very limited plant operation questions.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
   US Code: 16 USC 1531-1544 Name of Law: Endangered Species Act of 1973
   US Code: 16 USC 31 Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	74 FR 9387	03/04/2009
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	74 FR 38393	08/03/2009
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 11

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Alaska Marine Mammal Observer program	NA, NA	Data release form ,   Fishermen's comment card
At-Sea Hake Observer Program (Northwest)	NA, NA	Safety checklist ,   Fishermen's Data Request Form
Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Shrimp Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA	Observer notification form_reef fish ,   Observer notification form_shripm ,   Reef fish and shrimp safety checklist ,   Reef fish and shrimp observer evaluation form
North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA	Vessel/Plant Operator Comment Form ,   Vessel/Plant Operator Comment Card Follow-up Form ,   Safety checklist ,   Tagged Fish and Crab Form
Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Beach Sein Gear/Beach Anchored Gillnet Gear Characteristics ,   Beach seine/beach anchored gillnet haul log ,   Carch composition log ,   Catch Estimation Worksheet ,   Clam/quohog dredge gear characteristics log ,   Clam/Quahog Dredge Haul Log ,   Clam/Quohog dredge off-watch haul log ,   Crustacean Sample Log ,   Gillnet Characteristics Log ,   Gillnet haul log ,   Individual Animal Log ,   Length Frequency Log ,   Lobster, crab and fish pot gear characteristics ,   Lobster, crab and fish pot haul log ,   Longline gear characteristics log ,   Longline haul log ,   Marine mammal biological sample log ,   Marine mammal/sea turtle/sea bird incidental take log ,   Pair and single midwater gear characteristics log ,   Pair and single midwater haul log ,   Protected species sighting log ,   Purse seine gear characteristics log ,   Purse Seine Set Log ,   Scallop dredge gear characteristics log ,   Scallop dredge haul log ,   Scallop dredge off-watch haul log ,   Scallop trawl gear characteristics log ,   Scallop trawl haul log ,   Scallop trawl off-watch haul log ,   Sea turtle biological sample log ,   Trawl gear characteristics log ,   Trawl haul log ,   Twin trawl haul log ,   Data release form ,   Fishermen's Comment Card ,   Fishermen's Comment Log ,   NEFOP captain interview form ,   Pre-Deployment Safety Checklist ,   Safety checklist ,   Vessel and Trip Information Log ,   Vessel reimbursement form
Pacific Islands Region Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Placement meeting questions and checklist ,   Post cruise observer evaluation ,   Longline Gear Configuration ,   Longline trip expenditures for American Samoa ,   Longline trip expenditures for Hawaiian Islands
Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Observer Notification Form ,   Safety checklist ,   Observer evaluation form ,   Reimbursement for for assistance with bluefin tuna samplin ,   Reimbursement for equipment expenses ,   Reimbursement for insurance expenses
Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA	Observer notification form ,   Safety checklist ,   Reimbursement form ,   Observer evaluation form
Southwest Region Observer Program - Funded	NA, NA	Safety checklist ,   Drift gillnet trip expenditure form
Southwest Region Observer Program - currently unfunded but requesting burden approval	NA, NA	Safety checklist ,   Drift gillnet trip expense form
WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Program	NA, NA	Safety checklist ,   Fishermen's data request form

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list of burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	13,927	0	0	13,927	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	17,455	0	0	17,455	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,000	0	0	1,000	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new program.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 08/03/2009

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