0318 ss 110812

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ALASKA OBSERVER PROGRAM

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0318

This action is a resubmission of a revision of an existing information collection with an associated final rule, RIN 0648-BB42. In addition, a new name, “Alaska Observer Program,” is requested to replace “NMFS Alaska Region Observer Providers.” No changes were made to this information collection due to comments on the proposed rule.

INTRODUCTION

National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region (NMFS) manages the United States (U.S.) groundfish fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP). The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) prepared the FMPs pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act),

16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. as amended in 2006 (Magnuson Stevens Act). Regulations implementing the FMPs appear at 50 CFR part 679.

Management of the Pacific halibut fisheries in and off Alaska is governed by an international agreement, the ‘‘Convention Between the United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea” (Convention) which was signed in Ottawa, Canada, on March 2, 1953, and was amended by the ‘‘Protocol Amending the Convention,’’ signed in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 1979. The Convention is implemented in the U.S. by the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982.

The North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program is the largest observer program in the United States and plays a critical role in the conservation and management of groundfish, other living marine resources, and their habitat. The Alaska (North Pacific) Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program) provides the administrative framework for the collection of data by observers to obtain information necessary for the conservation and management of the groundfish fisheries managed under the FMPs.

Data collected by the observer program are used for a wide variety of purposes including:

(1) stock assessment; (2) monitoring groundfish quotas; (3) monitoring the bycatch of groundfish and non-groundfish species; (4) assessing the effects of the groundfish fishery on other living marine resources and their habitat; and (5) assessing methods intended to improve the conservation and management of groundfish and other living marine resources.

NMFS would implement Amendment 86 to the BSAI FMP and Amendment 76 to the GOA FMP. Amendments 86 and 76 would add a funding and deployment system for catcher vessels and shoreside processors in a new partial observer coverage category. Catcher/processors and motherships would continue the current system unchanged of arranging for full observer coverage and paying for that coverage directly to the observer provider and retain the existing funding and deployment system for operations in the full coverage category (see section in this analysis entitled Full Observer Coverage Category). Vessels and processors in the partial coverage category would pay an ex-vessel value-based fee to NMFS for their observer coverage, per the authority granted by section 313 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. By creating two observer coverage categories with separate funding and deployment systems, the proposed action would address cost inequity and data quality concerns with the existing Observer Program structure without imposing higher costs on operations that already pay for full observer coverage.

A. JUSTIFICATION

This action would simplify observer coverage requirements for vessel operators by shifting the responsibility of observer coverage from vessel operators to NMFS. Complex observer coverage requirements under existing regulations would be replaced with a simple “yes” or “no” decision as to whether their next trip is to be observed. NMFS would enter information into the deployment system based on known holders of a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) (see OMB Control No. 0648-0206). To reduce bias, the selection process would be automated, incorporate randomization with known selection probabilities, and notification would be immediate.

This information collection does not include justification for requiring observers to be placed on vessels and shoreside processors. Rather, the collection describes recordkeeping and reporting requirements associated with the placement of observers.

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

In October 2010, the Council unanimously adopted a motion to restructure the Observer Program’s funding and deployment system. This proposed action would divide the Observer Program into two observer coverage categories - partial and full. All groundfish and halibut vessels and processors would be included in one of the categories. The partial observer coverage category would include fishing sectors (vessels and processors) that would not be required to have an observer at all times. The full observer coverage category would include fishing sectors required to have all of their operations 100 percent observed.

A new funding and deployment system would allow NMFS to determine when and where to deploy observers according to management and conservation needs, with funds provided through a system of fees based on the ex-vessel value of groundfish and halibut in fisheries covered by the new system. This action would resolve data quality and cost equity concerns with the Observer Program’s existing funding and deployment structure.

2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will be used. If the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support information that will be disseminated to the public, then explain how the collection complies with all applicable Information Quality Guidelines.

I. EXISTING DATA REQUIREMENTS

a. Candidate college transcripts and statements, observer provider (NO CHANGES)

The observer candidate’s time and cost in preparation of a resume and submittal of college transcripts are excluded from the estimated burden of this collection-of-information because resumes and transcripts routinely are required by most employers, including observer providers.

However, reviewing and handling of this candidate material by the observer provider and NMFS is included below.

Candidate college transcripts and statements, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total time burden (9 x 5) Time per response to review = 8 hr Time per response to submit to NMFS = 1 hr Total personnel cost (45 x $25) Total miscellaneous cost (2.70) Cost to submit by mail ($2.50 x 1 = 2.50) Cost to submit by e-mail (0.05 x 4 = 0.20)	5 5 45 hr $1,125 $3

Candidates’ college transcripts and statements, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost (10 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	5 10 hr 250 0

b. Observer training and briefing registration (NO CHANGES)

The observer provider must submit training registration information to NMFS at least 5 business days prior to the beginning of a scheduled observer certification training or briefing session. A schedule for observer training for late 2008/early 2009 may be viewed at http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/FMA/training_schedule.htm. The list of requested date and names of observer candidates ensures that sufficient class space will be reserved for the candidates during the training session requested.

Observer training registration

Date of requested training

A list of observer candidates, including each candidate’s full name, date of birth, and sex

A copy of each candidate’s academic transcripts and resume

A statement signed by the observer candidate which discloses the candidate’s criminal convictions (if any).

Observer training registration, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses Estimated responses per yr = 2 Total burden time Time per response = 1 hr Total personnel cost (10 x $25) Total miscellaneous cost (120.15) Cost to submit by fax ($6 x 10 pp x 2 = 120) Cost to submit by email (0.05 x 3 = 0.15)	5 10 10 hr $250 $120

Observer training registration, Federal Government
Total responses Total burden time Time per response = 1 hr Total personnel cost (10 x $25) Total miscellaneous cost	10 10 hr $250 0

Observer briefing registration

Date and type of requested briefing session and briefing location

List of observers to attend the briefing session, including each observer’s full name

Observer Briefing Registration, Respondent

Total number of respondents Total annual responses Number of observers = 60 Types of observer briefing sessions 3-week training 12-day crab training 4-day annual briefing 2-day briefing 1-day pre-deployment briefing 5-day ‘level 2' briefing 1-day ‘level 2' briefing Total time burden Time per response (7 minutes) Total personnel cost (36 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous costs (20.95) Cost to submit by fax ($6 x 1 pp x 1 = 6) Cost to submit by email (0.05 x 299 = 14.95)

5 300 36 hr $900 $21

Observer Briefing Registration, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Time per response (3 minutes) Total personnel cost (15 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous costs	300 15 hr $375 0

c. Projected observer assignments (NO CHANGES)

Prior to the observer or observer candidate's completion of the training or briefing session, the observer provider must submit to NMFS a statement of projected observer assignments. The projected assignments are used by the training or briefing instructor to adapt classroom instruction in each training or briefing class to meet the specific needs of the individual(s) and to assign “special projects” to students. Special project assignments are often dependent on the projected vessel assignments and are often species or vessel-type specific.

Projected Observer Assignments

Observer's name

Vessel, shoreside processor, or SFP assignment

Gear type

Vessel/processor code

Port of embarkation

Target species

Area of fishing

Projected observer assignment, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses (60 x 3 x 5) Number of observers = 60 Annual assignments per observer = 3 Total time burden Time per response (7 minutes) Total personnel cost (108 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost (50.95) Cost to submit by fax ($6 x 1 pp x 1 = 6) Cost to submit by email (0.05 x 899 = 44.95)	5 900 108 hr $2,700 $51

Projected observer assignment, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Time per response (10 minutes) Total personnel cost (153 x 25) Total miscellaneous cost	900 153 hr $3,825 0

d. Physical examination verification (NO CHANGES)

The observer provider must provide to NMFS a signed and dated statement from a licensed physician that he or she has physically examined an observer or observer candidate. The statement must confirm that, based on that physical examination, the observer or observer candidate does not have any health problems or conditions that would jeopardize that individual's safety or the safety of others while deployed, or prevent the observer or observer candidate from performing his or her duties satisfactorily. The statement must declare that, prior to the examination, the physician was made aware of the duties of the observer and the dangerous, remote, and rigorous nature of the work by reading the NMFS-prepared pamphlet, provided to the candidate by the observer provider.

The physician's statement must be submitted to the Observer Program Office prior to certification of an observer. The physical exam must have occurred during the 12 months prior to the observer’s or observer candidate's deployment. The physician's statement will expire 12 months after the physical exam occurred. A new physical exam must be performed, and accompanying statement submitted, prior to any deployment occurring after the expiration of the statement.

Observer providers incur the costs associated with copying and submitting to NMFS the physical examination verification. They do not incur the costs of an observer or observer candidate’s time and cost for the actual exam.

Physical examination verification, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses (60 x 5) 60 observers 1 response per year Total burden time Time per response (5 minutes) Total personnel cost (24 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost (20.95) Cost to submit by fax ($6 x 1 pp x 1 = 6) Cost to submit by email (0.05 x 299 = 14.95)	5 300 24 hr $600 $21

Physical Examination verification, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Time per response (2 minutes) Total personnel cost (9 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	300 9 hr $225 0

e. Observer deployment/logistics report (NO CHANGES)

A deployment/logistics report must be submitted by Wednesday, 4:30 pm, Pacific local time, of each week with regard to each observer deployed by the observer provider during that week. This report is used for routine record keeping in the NMFS observer database. Accurate and timely observer deployment information is important for fisheries management. Knowing where observers are at all times is also extremely important should emergencies arise while an observer is deployed at sea. If the observer is currently not assigned to a vessel, shoreside processor, or SFP, the observer's location must be included in the report.

Observer deployment/logistics report

Observer’s name and cruise number

Current vessel, shoreside processor, or SFP assignment and vessel/ processor code

Embarkation date, and estimated or actual disembarkation dates

Observer’s location if the observer is currently not assigned

Observer deployment/logistics report, Respondent
Total number respondents Total annual responses (52 x 5 providers) One response per week Number of weekly reports/yr Total time burden Time per response (7 minutes) Total personnel cost (31 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous costs (18.95) Cost to submit by fax ($6 x 1 pp x 1 = 6) Cost to submit by email (0.05 x 259 = 12.95)	5 260 31 hr $775 $19

Observer deployment/logistics reports, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Time per response (10 minutes) Total personnel cost (44 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous costs	260 44 hr $1,100 0

f. Observer debriefing registration (NO CHANGES)

The observer provider must contact the Observer Program within 5 business days after the completion of an observer’s deployment to schedule a date, time and location for debriefing. Observer debriefing registration information must be provided at the time of debriefing scheduling and must include the following:

Observer debriefing registration.

Observer name and cruise number

Requested date of debriefing

Name and cruise number of observer

Name of vessel, shoreside processor, or SFP assignment name

Code of observer’s deployment

Observer Debriefing Registration, Respondent
Total number respondents Total annual responses (3 x 60 x 5) Number of observers = 60 Number of assignments = 3 Total time burden Time per response (30 minutes) Total personnel cost (450 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous costs (50.95) Cost to submit by fax ($6 x 1 pp x 1 = 6) Cost to submit by email (0.05 x 899 = 44.95)	5 900 450 hr $11,250 $51

Observer Debriefing Registration, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Time per response (30 minutes) Total personnel cost (450 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous costs	900 450 hr $11,250 0

g. Certificates of Insurance (NO CHANGES)

Copies of “certificates of insurance”, that name the NMFS Observer Program leader as the “certificate holder”, must be submitted to NMFS by February 1 of each year. Insurance certification allows NMFS to confirm that an observer provider is meeting the minimum

insurance coverage required. The certificates of insurance shall verify the following coverage provisions and state that the insurance company will notify the certificate holder if insurance coverage is changed or canceled.

♦ Maritime Liability to cover “seamen’s” claims under the Merchant Marine Act (Jones Act) and General Maritime Law ($1 million minimum).

♦ Coverage under the U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

($1 million minimum).

♦ States Worker’s Compensation as required.

♦ Commercial General Liability.

Certificates of insurance, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total time burden Time per response (12 minutes) Total personnel cost (1 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost (12.40) Cost to submit by fax ($6 x 2 pp x 1 = 12) Cost to submit by email (0.05 x 2 pp x 4 = 0.40)	5 5 1 hr $25 $12

Certificate of insurance, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden (5 x 0.05) Time per response (3 minutes) Total personnel cost (1 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	5 1 hr $25 0

h. Observer provider contracts (NO CHANGES)

Observer providers must submit to the Observer Program Office a completed and unaltered copy of each type of signed and valid contract between the observer provider and those entities requiring observer services (including all attachments, appendices, addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the contract).

Observer providers must also submit to NMFS upon request, a completed and unaltered copy of the current or most recent signed and valid contract (including all attachments, appendices, addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the contract and any agreements or policies with regard to observer compensation or salary levels) between the observer provider and the particular entity identified by the Observer Program or with specific observers.

Said copies must be submitted to NMFS by fax or mail within 5 business days of the request for the contract. Signed and valid contracts include the contracts an observer provider has with:

♦ Vessels required to have observer coverage.

♦ Shoreside processors or SFPs required to have observer coverage

♦ Observers

Observer Provider Contracts, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses 1 response per year Total time burden (2.5) Time per response (30 minutes) Total personnel cost (3 x $25) Total miscellaneous cost Cost to mail ($5 x 5)	5 5 3 hr $75 $25

Observer Provider Contracts, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden (2 hr x 5) Time requirement to review = 2 hr Total personnel cost (10 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	5 10 hr $250 0

i. Other Reports (REVISED)

Observer providers must notify NMFS of a breach of the observer provider’s policy on observer conduct within 72 hours after the provider becomes aware of the alleged violation. No change in burden or cost results from this change to add a submittal deadline.

The observer provider must submit these reports via fax or email within 24 hours after the observer provider becomes aware of the information, as follows:

♦ Information regarding possible observer harassment.

♦ Information regarding any prohibited action.

♦ Concerns about vessel safety, processor safety, or marine casualty under

46 CFR 4.05-1 (a)(1)-(7).

♦ Observer illness or injury that prevents the observer from completing any of his or her duties described in the observer manual.

♦ Any information, allegations, or reports regarding observer conflict of interest or breach of the standards of behavior.

Other Reports, Respondent
Total number respondents Total annual responses (5 providers x 10 reports) Number of reports = 10 Total time burden Time per response = 2 hr Total personnel cost (100 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost (8.45) Cost to submit by fax ($6 x 1 pp x 1 = 6) Cost to submit by email (0.05 x 49 = 2.45)	5 50 100 hr $2,500 $8

Other Reports, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Time to review each report = 1 hr Total personnel cost (1 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	50 50 hr $1,250 0

j. Industry Request for Assistance in Improving Observer Data Quality Issues (NO CHANGES)

Vessel, shoreside processor, and SFP owners and operators, as well as observers and observer providers, may contact NMFS in writing to request assistance in improving observer data quality and resolving observer sampling issues. Issues may include:

♦ Vessel, shoreside processor, or SFP specific sampling issues;

♦ Creating new sampling protocols;

♦ Developing and implementing research projects;

♦ Maintaining knowledge of current vessel, shoreside processor or SFP operations for observer sampling purposes; and

♦ Providing on-site training for an observer(s) employed by an observer provider.

NMFS can address observer-related issues by placing staff or individuals authorized by NMFS in actual working conditions experienced by observers. Such deployments increase the ability of NMFS to work with industry, observers, and observer providers to resolve the issues that face the stakeholders in the groundfish fisheries of the BSAI and GOA and foster a more cooperative working relationship with better informed industry participants. Requests may be submitted to: NMFS Observer Program Office, P.O. Box 15700, Seattle, Washington 98115-0070 or transmitted by fax to 206-526-4066.

Industry Request for Assistance, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total time burden Time per response (30 minutes) Total personnel cost (5 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost (19.68) Cost to fax ($6 x 1 pp x 3 = 18) Cost to email (0.05 x 7 = 1.68)	10 10 5 $125 $20

Industry Request for Assistance, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Time per response 2.5 hr Total personnel cost (25 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	10 25 hr $625 0

k. Observer Provider Permit Application (NO CHANGES)

The Regional Administrator may issue a permit authorizing a person's participation as an observer provider for operations requiring full observer coverage. Persons seeking to provide observer services must obtain an observer provider permit from NMFS.

An applicant seeking an observer provider permit must submit a completed application by fax or mail to the Observer Program Office. Requests may be submitted to: NMFS Observer Program Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115–0070 or transmitted by facsimile to 206–526–4066.

NMFS uses the provided information to evaluate the abilities of the prospective provider to perform the required responsibilities and duties on a recurring basis. A NMFS-appointed observer provider application review board reviews and evaluates each application for completeness against evaluation criteria.

An observer provider permit is not transferable. An observer provider that experiences a change in ownership that involves a new person must submit a new permit application and cannot continue to operate until a new permit is issued. Except for ownership information, each observer provider must submit to NMFS any changes or corrections to applicable contact information. Observer providers must notify NMFS within 30 days of the effective date of such change when any of the required permit elements change. This requirement will help facilitate the communication between NMFS and observer providers. Any change to the information submitted on the provider’s permit application must be submitted by FAX or mail (see address above).

The observer provider permit will expire after a period of 12 continuous months during which no observers are deployed by the provider. NMFS will provide a written determination to an observer provider if NMFS deployment records indicate that the permit has expired. An observer provider who receives a written initial administrative determination (IAD) of permit expiration may appeal under § 679.43. A permit holder who appeals the IAD will be issued an extension of the expiration date of the permit until after the final resolution of that appeal.

Observer Provider Permit application

Identification of the management, organizational structure, and ownership structure of the applicant’s business

Identification by name and general function of all controlling management interests in the company

including but not limited to owners, board members, officers, authorized agents, and other employees

Owner information. Permanent mailing address, telephone and fax numbers for each owner

Business information for each owner

Current physical location

Business mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, business e-mail address

Authorized agent. If ownership based outside the United States

Name of authorized agent

Mailing address, telephone number and fax number

Attachments

If a corporation, attach the articles of incorporation

If a partnership, attach the partnership agreement

Signed statement from ,each owner, or owners, board members, and officers if a corporation, have noconflict of interest

Signed statement describing any criminal convictions, federal contracts held and the performance rating received on each contract, and previous decertification action while working as an observer or observer provider

Description of any prior experience the applicant may have in placing individuals in remote field and/or marine work environments, including recruiting, hiring, deployment, and personnel administration

Description of the applicant’s ability to carry out the responsibilities and duties of an observer provider

Observer provider permit application, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total Time burden Time per response = 60 hr Total personnel cost (60 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost (0.42) Cost to mail (0.42 x 1 = 0.42)	1 1 60 hr $1,500 $1

Observer provider permit application, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Total personnel cost (30 hr x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	1 30 hr $750 0

l. Appeals for Observer Program [REVISED; BURDEN CORRECTED]

Appeals by observer provider.

The appeals process provides the observer provider a method to provide evidence and to argue in opposition to a NMFS decision. In addition, the process provides NMFS a tool to ascertain if observer providers are fulfilling their responsibilities and duties as prescribed by NMFS.

If an FPP or Registered Buyer Permit holder (permit holder) makes a timely payment to NMFS of an amount less than the fee liability NMFS estimated, the permit holder would have the burden of demonstrating that the fee amount submitted is correct. If, upon preliminary review of the accuracy and completeness of a fee payment, NMFS determines the permit holder has not paid a sufficient amount, NMFS would notify the permit holder by letter. NMFS would explain the discrepancy and the permit holder would have 30 days to either pay the remaining amount that NMFS determined should be paid or provide evidence that the amount paid is correct.

If the permit holder submits evidence in support of his or her payment, NMFS will evaluate it and, if there is any remaining disagreement as to the appropriate observer fee, prepare an Initial Administrative Determination (IAD).

If the permit of an observer provider expired and the provider receives an initial administrative determination (IAD) of permit expiration, the provider may appeal. The IAD would set out the facts, discuss those facts within the context of the relevant agency policies and regulations, and make a determination as to the appropriate disposition of the matter. The IAD will identify any deficiencies in any information submitted in support of the application.

A permit holder disagreeing with the IAD could appeal an IAD through the Office of Administrative Appeals in NMFS as described in existing regulations at 50 CFR 679.43.

An IAD that is not appealed within 60 days of issuance to the NMFS Office of Administrative Appeals would become a final agency action.

Appeals by observer

Upon determination that suspension or decertification is warranted, the suspension/ decertification official will issue a written initial administrative determination (IAD) to the observer via certified mail at the observer's most current address provided to NMFS. The IAD will identify whether a certification is suspended or revoked and will identify the specific reasons for the action taken. If the IAD issues a suspension for an observer certification, the terms of the suspension will be specified. Suspension or decertification can be made effective upon issuance of the IAD in cases of willfulness or in cases in which public health, interest, or safety require such action. In such cases, the suspension/decertification official will state in the IAD that suspension or decertification is effective at time of issuance and the reason for the action.

Appeals for Observer Program, Respondent
Total number of respondents Total annual responses = 1 Total burden hours Time per response = 4 hr Total personnel cost (4 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost (500.84) Annual cost for legal advice (4 hr x $125 = 500) Cost to submit by mail ($0.84 x 1 = 0.84)	1 1 4 hr $100 $501

Appeals for Observer Program, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total time burden Time per response = 4 hr Total personnel cost (4 x $125) Total miscellaneous cost	1 4 hr $500 0

m. Update to provider information (NO CHANGES)

Except for changes in ownership, an observer provider must submit notification of any other change to the information submitted on the provider's permit application. Within 30 days of the effective date of such change, this information must be submitted by fax or mail to the Observer Program Office. Any change to the information submitted on the provider’s permit application must be submitted by email. This requirement facilitates the communication between NMFS and observer providers.

Update to provider information, Respondent
Total respondents Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total Time burden Time per response (15 minutes) Total personnel cost (1 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost Cost to e-mail (0.05 x 3 = 0.15)	3 3 1 $25 $1

Update to provider information, Federal Government
Total number of responses Total time burden (1.5) Time per response (30 minutes) Total personnel cost (2 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost	3 2 hr $50 0

n. Observer provider invoices (REVISED)

NMFS is correcting an error and an inadvertent omission from the most recent analysis of this collection. The costs for the design, development, and verification of the new system and protocols to the Federal Government, estimated at $50,000, were inadvertently omitted from the most recent analysis. Federal costs include one half-time staff member, at a total cost of approximately $31,250 in salary and fringe benefits per year. The total number of responses is revised from 2,946 to 600, based on 120 invoices per respondent, based on actual submittals.

Invoice Copies

Name of each individual to which the invoice applies

Dates of service for each observer

Rate charged in dollars per day (daily rate) for observer services

Total charge for observer services (number of days multiplied by daily rate)

Amount charged for air transportation

Amount charged by the provider for any other observer expenses, including but not limited to: ground transportation, excess baggage, and lodging. Charges for these costs must be separated and identified

Invoice Copies, Respondent
Total number respondents Total annual responses (5 providers x 120 invoices) Number of invoices = 10 x 12 months = 120 Total time burden Time per invoice = 30 minutes Total personnel cost (300 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost Cost to submit by fax ($6 x 100= 600) Cost to submit by email (0.05 x 500 =25)	5 600 300 hr $7,500 $625

Invoice Copies, Federal Government
Total personnel cost, half-time staff member One-time database design cost, Initial design, development, and groundtruth Total miscellaneous cost	$31,250 $50,000 0

II. PARTIAL OBSERVER COVERAGE CATEGORY [NEW]

Observer Declare and Deploy System (ODDs) Operator’s First Login

Vessel Selection Pool

Trip Selection Pool

Use Deployment System

Request for electronic video monitoring as exemption for observer coverage

USCG safety decal

Fee Calculation and Submittal

In the existing observer service delivery model, industry contracts directly with observer providers to meet observer coverage requirements in Federal regulations. The proposed action would implement a new system (i.e., restructuring) in which NMFS contracts directly with observer providers and determines when and where observers are deployed. Vessels and processors under the restructured observer program would pay either a fee based on a

percentage of ex-vessel revenue (not to exceed 2%), or a daily observer fee, to fund the program.

a. Observer Declare and Deploy System (ODDs) [NEW]

The ODDs System is a communication platform for the partial observer coverage category by which NMFS receives information about fishing plans subject to randomized observer deployment. Vessel operators provide fishing plan and contact information to NMFS and receive instructions through ODDS for coordinating with an observer provider for any required observer coverage. Access to ODDS is available through the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.

The following catcher vessels are in the partial observer coverage category when fishing for halibut with hook-and-line gear or when directed fishing for groundfish in a federally managed or parallel groundfish fishery, as defined at § 679.2:

♦ A catcher vessel designated on an FFP under § 679.4(b)(1); or

♦ A catcher vessel when fishing for halibut with hook-and-line gear and while carrying a person named on a permit issued under § 679.4(d)(1)(i), § 679.4(d)(2)(i), or § 679.4(e)(2), or for sablefish IFQ with hook-and-line or pot gear and while carrying a person named on a permit issued under § 679.4(d)(1)(i) or § 679.4(d)(2)(i).

1. Registration.

NMFS will enter information into ODDS about all partial coverage category vessels that are designated on an FFP and all catcher vessels that are not designated on an FFP but that landed sablefish IFQ or halibut IFQ or CDQ in the previous or current year. Owners or operators are not responsible for initial registration of their vessel in ODDS.

2. Notification.

Upon entry into ODDS, NMFS will notify the owner or operator as to whether his or her vessel is entered in either a “vessel” or “trip” selection pool. Owners and operators must comply with all further instructions set forth by ODDS.

3. Trip Selection Pool.

A minimum of 72 hours prior to embarking on each fishing trip, the operator of a vessel in the trip selection pool must register the anticipated trip with ODDS.

When a fishing trip is registered with ODDS, the vessel operator will be notified by ODDS whether the trip is selected for observer coverage and a receipt number corresponding to this notification will be provided by ODDS. Trip registration is complete when the vessel operator receives a receipt number.

An operator may embark on a fishing trip registered with ODDS:

Not selected trip. At any time if ODDS indicates that the fishing trip is not selected for observer coverage.

Selected trip. When an observer is aboard the vessel if ODDS indicates that the fishing trip is selected for observer coverage.

Delayed trip. A selected fishing trip not embarked upon within 48 hours of the time specified in the registration with ODDS is invalidated. The operator must register any new trip.

Observer Coverage Duration. If selected, a vessel is required to carry an observer for the entire fishing trip.

A fishing trip selected for observer coverage may not begin until all previously harvested fish has been offloaded and an observer is aboard the vessel.

An observer may not be transferred off a catcher vessel until the observer confirms that all fish from the observed fishing trip are offloaded.

A vessel must make a minimum of one delivery to a tender vessel to be subject to the fishing trip definition.

4. Vessel Selection Pool.

A vessel selected for observer coverage is required to have an observer on board for all groundfish and halibut fishing trips for the time period indicated by ODDS.

At its discretion, NMFS may provide electronic monitoring equipment to a vessel owner or operator to use on a vessel. A vessel owner or operator must coordinate with NMFS to make the vessel available for evaluation and installation of electronic monitoring equipment if NMFS determines that electronic monitoring is appropriate.

The Observer Program may release a selected trip or a selected vessel from observer coverage on a case-by-case basis.

a. Use ODDs System

Catcher vessels using pot gear or hook-and-line gear that are ≥ 40 ft and < 57.5 ft LOA would be subject to a vessel selection system. Based on 2008 data, approximately 435 fixed gear vessels of this size class would be subject to the vessel selection system, at least in the initial year(s) of the new program. Thus, the vast majority of the small entities identified would either have no selection during the beginning of the program, or be subject to the vessel selection system. The remainder of the vessels in the partial coverage category (trawl catcher vessels and fixed gear catcher vessels ≥ 57.5 ft LOA) would be subject to the trip selection system.

Vessels in the trip selection pool will need to use the ODDs System before each fishing trip. There are 364 vessels in this group and they make a range of trips per year (from 1 to 50 trips in 2010). Using 25 trips as an estimate, these vessels did a total 9,100 trips. Vessels in the vessel selection pool will use the Observer Deployment System every 3 months. In 2010 there were 435 vessels in this group, so 435 x 4 = 1,740.

Use ODDs System, Respondent

Estimated number of respondents 364 vessels in trip selection pool 435 vessels in vessel selection pool Total annual responses Number of responses 364 trip vessels x 25 trips = 9,100 trips 435 selected x 4 (once every 3 months) = 1,740 trips Total Time burden Time per response = 15 min Total personnel cost (2,710 x $25) Total miscellaneous cost (1,626) Online (0.05 x 10,840 = 542) Photocopy (0.05 x 2pp x 10,840 = 1,084

799 10,840 2,710 hr $67,750 $1,626

Use ODDs System, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Time burden (automatic) Total personnel cost Total miscellaneous cost	0 0 0 0

b. Request for electronic monitoring as exemption for observer coverage [NEW]

Upon first login to the ODDs System, vessel operators would indicate their assessment as to whether or not they believe an observer could be accommodated onboard their vessel or if an electronic monitoring system could be used in lieu of an observer. The operator would be prompted to enter the reason why an observer could not be accommodated (e.g., lack of space for an observer to sample) if so indicated.

When the operator indicates that an observer could not be accommodated, a program coordinator may visit any vessel selected for observer coverage to verify this assessment. If, during the inspection by the program coordinator, it is determined that the vessel is not suited to monitoring by an observer for safety or logistical reasons, NMFS could approve an electronic monitoring system. Electronic video monitoring would likely not be available to all vessels who request video monitoring in lieu of an observer in the initial years of the new program. The agency’s goal is to use electronic video monitoring in place of observers when NMFS determines it is appropriate.

NMFS will need to prioritize vessels that are suited for electronic monitoring and initial efforts to use electronic video monitoring as a substitute for an observer would focus on hook-and-line vessels less than 57.5 ft LOA fishing for halibut and sablefish IFQ. Electronic monitoring refers to cameras and computer equipment that would be installed on vessels to obtain and store information on catch composition.

NMFS is looking to develop capacity, both in-house and through vendors, for video deployment, review, and information extraction at the inception of the restructured program. NMFS encourages vendors to continue to develop electronic monitoring systems for use onboard fishing vessels in Alaska. Dependent on funding, NMFS’ goal is to deploy electronic monitoring in all cases where it would be the best alternative for information collection.

Request for Electronic Monitoring, Respondent
Estimated number of respondents Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total Time burden Time per response = 1 hr Total personnel cost = $25 Total miscellaneous cost (0.10) Online 0.05 x 1 = 0.05 Photocopy 0.05 x 1 = 0.05	1 1 1 hr $1

Request for Electronic Monitoring, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Time burden Time per response = 1 hr Total personnel cost Total miscellaneous cost	1 1 hr $25 0

c. USCG safety decal (NEW; NO COSTS OR BURDEN)

Operators of vessels selected for observer coverage must pass a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination prior to an observer boarding the vessel. The only potential exception in current regulations is for vessels less than 26 ft LOA in remote locations.

For the first time, NMFS would deploy observers on less than 60 ft vessels and halibut vessels. Although obtaining a USCG safety decal is a new requirement for these vessels, it is not included in the costs and burdens of this collection. The actual compliance with the safety requirements is not a new compliance requirement of this rule, as all vessels are required to comply with USCG requirements regardless of whether they carry an observer. However, completing the USCG inspection process and documenting that compliance through the safety decal constitutes a new requirement of the proposed rule.

An observer provider must verify that a vessel has a valid USCG safety decal before an observer may get underway aboard the vessel.

d. Observer Fee Calculation and Submittal (NEW)

The new funding and deployment system allows NMFS to determine when and where to deploy observers according to management and conservation needs, with funds provided through a system of fees based on the ex-vessel value of groundfish and halibut in fisheries covered by the new system. The implementation of eLandings in the groundfish and halibut fisheries provides an automated system for determining an operation’s ex-vessel value-based observer fee liability. Ex-vessel value refers to the price paid to fishermen for their raw, unprocessed catch.

This fee is paid exclusively by catcher vessels and FPP holders in the partial observer coverage category. Catcher/processors, motherships, shoreside processors, and SFPs are in the 100 percent observer coverage and arrange for observers and pay for observer coverage through the established observer providers. Observer provider information is found below under the section entitled Full Observer Coverage Category.

The ability to program standardized prices into eLandings at the start of a fishing year would allow an observer fee field to be populated as the Federal processor permit (FPP) holder (shoreside processor, SFP, and Registered Buyer) enters the amount of pounds of each species landed, and the gear type used. Look-up tables would be used to apply the standardized prices for that particular port. The applicable standardized prices and ex-vessel value fee percentage would be multiplied by the number of pounds landed, yielding the fee liability for each species. A total observer fee would be generated and included on each landing report, as well.

The FPP holder would collect the harvester’s portion of the fee, NMFS would invoice the FPP holders at the end of the year by compiling the totals reported in eLandings, and the FPP holder would pay the fee directly to NMFS.

All FPP holders would have access to the NMFS Web application at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/webapps.htm through a UserID and password issued by NMFS to view the landing-specific observer fee liability information. This information generally would be available within 24 hours of the time that the landing report was submitted via eLandings or the manual landing report was submitted to NMFS. FPP holders would withhold the vessel operator’s portion and self-collect the processor’s portion of the observer fee liability.

By January 15 each year, NMFS would invoice FPP holders for the total fee liability determined by the sum of the fees reported by the observer fee web-application for each processor for the prior calendar year. FPP holders would remit the fees to NMFS electronically by February 15 through the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be provided on the payment Web site and on the observer fee liability invoice to be mailed to each permit holder. NMFS would audit the payments to ensure all liabilities are paid in full.

Observer Fee Submittal, Respondent
Estimated number of respondents 160 processors (FPP holders) Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total Time burden Time per response = 15 minutes Total personnel cost (40 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost Online (0.05 x 160 = 8) Photocopy (0.05 x 2pp x 160 = 16)	160 160 40 hr $1,000 $24

Observer Fee Submittal, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Time burden = automatic Total personnel cost ($15 x 160) Total miscellaneous cost	160 0 $2,400 0

II. FULL OBSERVER COVERAGE CATEGORY

The following classes of vessels are in the full observer coverage category when harvesting halibut or when harvesting, receiving, or processing groundfish in a federally managed or parallel groundfish fishery:

Catcher/processors;

Motherships; and

Catcher vessels while:

Directed fishing for pollock in the BS;

Using trawl gear or hook-and-line gear while groundfish CDQ fishing; or

Participating in the Rockfish Program.

Full observer coverage is needed in programs where catch is allocated to specific entities with quotas and limits of prohibited species catch, which must be discarded at-sea. This action would continue to require full observer coverage on all catcher/processors and motherships. In addition, this action would require any groundfish catcher/processor and halibut catcher/processor less than 60 feet in length overall (LOA) not previously subject to observer requirements would now be required to have 100 percent coverage and contract directly for that coverage.

Catcher/processors and motherships will not participate in the new Observer Fee Program; rather they pay the observer provider direct, in response to invoices for observer coverage. NMFS requires observer providers to submit copies of all invoices for observer coverage (that they submitted to catcher/processors and motherships) to the Observer Program Office on a continual monthly basis. Observer providers are required to submit these invoices to NMFS for each observer aboard a catcher/processor, catcher vessel, mothership, SFP, or shoreside processor on a monthly basis for a full calendar year. The invoice information allows NMFS to develop an accurate assessment of costs and benefits under potential program changes which may benefit the groundfish Observer Program and the fisheries dependent upon observer data for management.

a. One-time election of observer coverage [NEW]

A vessel is classified as a catcher/processor according to the operation designation on its FFP. A vessel designated as a catcher/processor at any time during the calendar year is classified as a catcher/processor for the remainder of the calendar year. A

An owner or operator of a catcher/processor that processes no more than one metric ton round weight of groundfish on any day, may be included in the partial observer coverage category in lieu of the full coverage category for the following calendar year.

The owner of a vessel less than 60 ft. LOA with a history of catcher/processor and catcher vessel activity in a single year from January 1, 2003, through January 1, 2010; or any catcher/processor with an average daily groundfish production of less than 5,000 pounds round weight equivalent in the most recent full calendar year of operation from January 1, 2003, to January 1, 2010, may make a one-time election as to whether the vessel will be in the partial observer coverage category, or the full observer coverage category. The daily groundfish production average is based on the number of days the vessel operated each year from January 1, 2003, through January 1, 2010.

The person named on the FFP for a vessel eligible for the one-time election must notify the Regional Administrator, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, of their election in writing, at least 30 days prior to embarking on his or her first fishing trip.

The one-time election is effective for the duration that both the catcher/processor and catcher vessel designations are listed on the FFP for vessels less than 60 ft. LOA; or the duration the FFP is issued to the person named on the FFP at the time of the election for catcher/processors with an average daily production of less than 5,000 pounds round weight equivalent in the most recent full calendar year of operation from January 1, 2003, through January 1, 2010.

	Notification for one-time election, Respondent
	Estimated number of respondents Total annual responses Number of responses per year = 1 Total Time burden (30 minutes) Time per response = 15 minutes Total personnel cost (1 x $25/hr) Total miscellaneous cost Postage .45 x 2 = 0.90 Photocopy 2 x .05 = 0.1	2 2 1 hr $25 $1
Notification for one-time election, Federal Government
Total annual responses Total Time burden Time per response = 15 min Total personnel cost Total miscellaneous cost			2 1 hr $25 0

It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support publicly disseminated information. NOAA Fisheries will retain control over the information and safeguard it from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with NOAA standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See response to Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information will be subjected to quality control measures and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information technology.

The periodic reports and information submitted by observer providers consist of extractions of the required data from their existing database systems into a report form that is then submitted by fax or e-mail to NMFS. Observer provider applications are submitted by mail, along with requested documentation.

The copies of invoices and of the Observer Conduct and Behavior policy are submitted as attachments to email or by fax.

The permit holder submits observer fee payments electronically to NMFS available on the Alaska Region Home Page at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

No duplication exists with other information collections.

5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.

This collection of information does not impose a significant impact on small entities. The only entities considered large in this analysis are the American Fisheries Act (AFA) vessels, BSAI Amendment 80 catcher/processors, AFA shoreside processors and additional processors owned by the same companies, and individual vessels that had more than $4 million in ex-vessel revenues in 2008.

The proposed action would directly regulate entities that harvest or process groundfish and halibut in Federal waters of the BSAI and GOA and vessels holding an FFP and harvesting groundfish in State waters that are accounted for under a Federal total allowable catch . This specifically includes landings of (1) groundfish in the parallel fisheries in State waters, (2) groundfish incidental to harvest in the State waters fisheries (Pacific cod, pollock, sablefish), and (3) groundfish incidental to harvest in the halibut or sablefish IFQ in State waters.

An estimated 1,609 vessels (1,598 catcher vessels, 10 catcher /processors, and 1 mothership) and 160 shoreside processors, SFPs, and Registered Buyers would be participants in this program for a total of 1,769 entities. Although some data is distinguished as CDQ data, the CDQ groups do not participate directly.

There are an estimated 80 large entities and 1,689 small entities, as defined under the RFA, directly regulated by the proposed action. This summary includes catcher vessels that are not in the selection pools but that are required to pay fees based on eligible landings.

Sector	Number small entities	Number large entities
Halibut & sablefish IFQ	1,411	3
Groundfish CVs	125	59
Groundfish CPs	6	4
Motherships	1	0
Shoreside processors & SFPs	~146	~14
Total	1,689	80

6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.

All information is required for the efficient operation of the Observer Program and must be submitted in the time frames requested. Collecting this information less frequently would jeopardize the goals and objectives of the Observer Program and the effective management of the Alaska groundfish fisheries.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

Not applicable.

8. Provide information on the Federal Register Notice that solicited public comments on the information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the public comments received in response to that notice and describe the actions taken by the agency in response to those comments. Describe the efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

NMFS Alaska Region submitted this request with a proposed rule (RIN 0648-BB42) coincident with this submission, requesting comments from the public. The proposed rule was published on April 18, 2012 (77 FR 23326) and was accompanied by environmental and economic analyses, including an IRFA prepared pursuant to Section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The comment period on this rule expired at 5 PM Alaska Local Time on June 18, 2012.

In response to comment 27, page 34 of draft FR, NMFS removed the proposed requirements at

§ 679.51(a)(1)(ii)(B) and (C) and § 679.7(g)(7) from the final rule. The proposed regulations at § 679.51(a)(1)(ii)(B) and (C) would have required holders of FFPs issued after December 1 and operators of vessels fishing for IFQ or CDQ on vessels that had not landed groundfish or halibut in the previous year to enter their vessel information into ODDS within 30 days of issuance of a new FFP or within 30 days of embarking on his or her first fishing trip of the year. The proposed regulations at § 679.7(g)(7) would have prohibited a person from embarking on a fishing trip without registering with ODDS.

In addition, pursuant to section 313 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS conducted public hearings on the proposed rule in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska during the public comment period.

(77 FR 29961, May 21, 2012)

• April 17, 2012; Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.—NOAA Western Regional Center, Building 9 Auditorium, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Bldg. 9, Seattle, WA 98115.

(77 FR 22753, April 17, 2012)

• April 19, 2012, PDT 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.—Hatfield Marine Science Center, Hennings Auditorium, 2030 SE. Marine Science Dr., Newport, OR 97365.

• May 2, 2012, Alaska Daylight Time 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.--Centennial Hall, Hickel Room, 101 Egan Drive, Juneau, AK 99801

9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

No payment or gift to respondents is provided under this program.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

An observer provider must ensure that all records on individual observer performance received from NMFS under the routine use provision of the Privacy Act remain confidential and are not further released to anyone outside the employ of the observer provider company to whom the observer was contracted except with written permission of the observer.

NMFS would adhere to policies and procedures for protecting confidentiality of data submitted to or collected by NMFS as prescribed by a Reciprocal Data Access Agreement (1999) among the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), and the Alaska Commercial Fishery Entry Commission (included in this submission) which are more stringent than the procedures prescribed by NOAA Administrative Order 216-100. Therefore, NMFS would not publish any price information that would permit the identification of an individual. For example, at least four persons would need to make landings of a species with a particular gear type at each port in order for NMFS to publish that price information at the level of individual ports.

The information collected is confidential under section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act

(16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.). The information is also confidential under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.

All information collected is in a system of records: NOAA #15, “Alaska Region-North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program: Certified Domestic Observer Final Evaluations,” or NOAA #19, “Permits and Registrations for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries.”

In exceptional circumstances, the owners and operators of vessels may provide to the Regional Administrator written justification at the time observer data are submitted, or within a reasonable time thereafter, that disclosure of information could reasonably be expected to cause substantial competitive harm. The determination whether to disclose the information will be made pursuant to 15 CFR 4.7.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.

This information collection does not involve information of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.

Estimated total respondents: 959 (799 vessels in selection pools and 160 shoreside processors, SFPs and registered buyers), increased from 15. Estimated total responses: 14,358, increased from 5,701. Total estimated burden hours: 4,130, increased from 1,375. Estimated total personnel cost: $103,226, increased from $27,500.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or record-keepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in Question 12 above).

Estimated total miscellaneous costs: $3,256, decreased from $3,500.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.

Estimated total burden hours: 820, increased from 815. Estimated total personnel cost: $23,300, increased from $20,850. One-time database design cost, Initial design, development, and groundtruth, including $50,000 personnel costs, $81,250, annualized to $27,083.

Total: $50,383.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.

This action is a program change to add a funding and deployment system to the Alaska Observer Program and amend existing observer coverage requirements for vessels and processing plants.

To integrate the new procedures with the existing procedures required the following addition and revisions:

Notification of one-time election [NEW]

an increase of 2 respondents and responses, 2 instead of 0

an increase of 1 hr burden, 1 instead of 0 hr

an increase of $25 personnel costs, $25 instead of $0

an increase of $1 miscellaneous costs, $1 instead of $0

Use ODDs system [NEW]

an increase of 799 respondents, 799 instead of 0

an increase of 10,840 responses, 10,840 instead of 0

an increase of 2,710 hr burden, 2,710 instead of 0 hr

an increase of $67,750 personnel costs, $67,750 instead of $0

an increase of $1,626 miscellaneous costs, $1,626 instead of $0

Electronic monitoring instead of observer [NEW]

an increase of 1 respondents and responses, 1 instead of 0

an increase of 1 hr burden, 1 instead of 0 hr

an increase of $1 personnel costs, $1 instead of $0

Observer Fee Submittal [NEW]

an increase of 160 respondents and responses, 160 instead of 0

an increase of 40 hr burden, 40 instead of 0 hr

an increase of $1000 personnel costs, $1000 instead of $0

an increase of $24 miscellaneous costs, $24 instead of $0

Adjustments

Observer Program Appeals [MODIFY]

an increase of 3 hr burden, 4 instead of 1 hr

an increase of $75 personnel costs, $100 instead of $25

This action also is an adjustment to correct the calculations and summary for federal burden and cost formerly provided on the “copying of invoices.”

All other information collections in this OMB Control Number remain unchanged.

16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and publication.

The following information collected by observers for each catcher/processor and catcher vessel during any weekly reporting period may be made available to the public on the Alaska Science Center website at http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/FMA/fma_database.htm.

♦ Vessel name and Federal permit number.

♦ Number of Chinook salmon and “other salmon” observed.

♦ Ratio of total round weight of incidentally caught halibut or Pacific herring to the total round weight of groundfish in sampled catch.

♦ Ratio of number of king crab or C. bairdi Tanner crab to the total round weight of groundfish in sampled hauls.

♦ Number of observed trawl hauls or fixed gear sets.

♦ Number of trawl hauls that were basket-sampled.

♦ Total weight of basket samples taken from sampled trawl hauls.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.

Not applicable.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.

Not applicable.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

This collection does not employ statistical methods.

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