The National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS), North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program provides
observers to collect and disseminate catch, bycatch, and biological
data necessary to support in-season monitoring and stock
assessment. Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, Washington,
provides the operational oversight of the program, certification
training, definition of observer sampling duties and methods,
debriefing of observers, and management of the data. Owners of
vessels, shoreside processors, or stationary floating processors
required to carry observers must arrange for observer services from
an observer provider. This action revises the collection to
prohibit activities that result in non-representative fishing
behavior from counting toward an observer coverage day and require
observer providers to report to NMFS information about the cost of
providing observers.
PL:
Pub.L. 194 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act as amended in 2006
Program changes are created by
a rule to revise the Observer Program. These changes are described
below: Observer provider permit appeals process is removed. a
decrease of 1 respondents, 0 instead of 1 a decrease of 1 response,
0 instead of 1 a decrease of 1 hr burden, 0 hr instead of 1 hr a
decrease of $25 personnel costs, $0 instead of $25 a decrease of
$501 miscellaneous costs, $0 instead of $501 Copies of observer
provider invoices is added. an increase of 5 respondents, 5 instead
of 0 an increase of 600 responses, 600 instead of 0 an increase of
300 hr burden, 300 hr instead of 0 hr an increase of $7,500
personnel costs, $7,500 instead of $0 an increase of $3,625
miscellaneous costs, $3,625 instead of $0 Observer conduct and
behavior policy is added. an increase of 5 respondents, 5 instead
of 0 an increase of 5 responses, 5 instead of 0 an increase of 200
hr burden, 200 hr instead of 0 hr an increase of $5,000 personnel
costs, $5,000 instead of $0 an increase of $125 miscellaneous
costs, $125 instead of $0. Other information collections in OMB
Control No. 0648-0318 are unchanged. There is no change in
unduplicated respondents. There is a net increase of 604 responses;
499 hours, $12,475 in personnel costs and $3,249 in miscellaneous
costs.
$68,267
No
No
No
Uncollected
No
Uncollected
Patsy Bearden 907
586-7008
No
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.