Alaska Observer Program

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
0318 FRN pub 052015_28976.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2015-11-09	Available
0318 Supporting Statement 110415.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2015-11-09	Available

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
4246	NMFS Alaska Region Observer Providers - candidate college transcripts and statements		Modified
201484	Notification of one-time election of observer coverage		Unchanged
201481	Request for electronic monitoring		Modified
200662	Observer fee submittal		Removed
200661	Observer appeals		Unchanged
200660	Observer declaration and deployment system	Instruction	Modified
190415	Observer conduct and behavior policy		Removed
187144	Update to provider information		Modified
187143	Observer provider invoice copies		Modified
187142	Observer provider permit application		Unchanged
187140	Industry Request for Assistance in Improving Observer Data Quality Issues		Modified
187138	Other reports (formerly conduct and behavior policy)		Modified
187137	Observer provider contracts		Unchanged
187136	Certificates of insurance		Modified
187135	Observer debriefing registration	Instruction	Modified
187131	Observer deployment/logistics report	Instruction	Modified
187130	Physical examination verification	Instruction	Modified
187129	Projected observer assignment	Instruction	Modified
187128	Observer briefing registration	Instruction	Modified
187127	Observer training registration	Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0318	ICR Reference No: 201511-0648-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201211-0648-012
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Alaska Observer Program
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 12/14/2015
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 11/09/2015
Terms of Clearance:

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2018	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2015
Responses	9,234	0	14,358
Time Burden (Hours)	2,643	0	4,130
Cost Burden (Dollars)	591	0	3,256

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Abstract: Observers collect biological samples and fishery-dependent information on total catch and interactions with protected species. Managers use data collected by observers to monitor quotas, manage groundfish and prohibited species catch, and document and reduce fishery interactions with protected resources. Scientists use data collected by observers for stock assessments and marine ecosystem research. The stock assessments are the basis for setting annual catch quotas for groundfish species The restructured Observer Program, which began in 2013, expanded observer coverage to fill scientific data gaps, reduce bias in the data, and more equitably distribute costs for observer coverage. This program expanded coverage to nearly all catcher/processors, the halibut and sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fisheries, and vessels between 40 ft and 60 ft length overall(LOA). This program reduces bias in fishery-dependent data by using a scientific method to deploy observers, as explained in the 2015 Annual Deployment Plan (ADP).

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 194 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as amended in 2006
  

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:
	80 FR 28976	05/20/2015
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	80 FR 69200	11/09/2015
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 18

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Certificates of insurance
Industry Request for Assistance in Improving Observer Data Quality Issues
NMFS Alaska Region Observer Providers - candidate college transcripts and statements
Notification of one-time election of observer coverage
Observer appeals
Observer briefing registration
Observer conduct and behavior policy
Observer debriefing registration
Observer declaration and deployment system
Observer deployment/logistics report
Observer fee submittal
Observer provider contracts
Observer provider invoice copies
Observer provider permit application
Observer training registration
Other reports (formerly conduct and behavior policy)
Physical examination verification
Projected observer assignment
Request for electronic monitoring
Update to provider information

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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	9,234	14,358	0	0	-5,124	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	2,643	4,130	0	0	-1,487	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	591	3,256	0	0	-2,665	0

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Adjustments are made to decrease the number of respondents, to change the personnel hourly costs from $25/hr to $37/hr, and to remove any costs associated with online submittal. Observer Declare & Deploy System (ODDS) a decrease of 72 respondents, 417 instead of 489 a decrease of 4,957 responses, 5,883 instead of 10,840 a decrease of 1,239 hours, 1,471 instead of 2,710 hr a decrease of $3,330 personnel costs, $54,427 instead of $57,757 a decrease of $1,626 miscellaneous costs, 0 instead of $1,626 Electronic monitoring exemption an increase of $12 personnel costs, $37 instead of $25 a decrease of $1 miscellaneous costs, 0 instead of $1 Notify one-time electronic monitoring instead of observer coverage an increase of $12 personnel costs, $37 instead of $25 Observer training registration an increase of $120 personnel costs, $370 instead of $250 a decrease of $114 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $120. Observer briefing registration a decrease of 1 hour, 35 instead of 36 hr an increase of $432 personnel costs, $1,332 instead of $1295 a decrease of $15 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $21. Observer candidate transcripts a decrease of 5 hours, 40 instead of 45 hr an increase of $480 personnel costs, $1,480 instead of $1,000 Projected observer assignments a decrease of 3 hours, 105 instead of 108 hr an increase of $1,260 personnel costs, $3,885 instead of $2,625 a decrease of $45 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $51. Physical examination verification a decrease of 5 hours, 25 instead of 24 hr an increase of $300 personnel costs, $925 instead of $625 a decrease of $15 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $21. Observer deployment/logistics an increase of $372 personnel costs, $1,147 instead of $775 a decrease of $13 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $19. Observer debriefing registration an increase of $5,400 personnel costs, $16,650 instead of $11,250 a decrease of $45 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $51. Certificates of insurance an increase of $12 personnel costs, $37 instead of $25 a decrease of $6 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $12. Observer provider contracts an increase of $36 personnel costs, $111 instead of $75 Other reports (conduct, behavior) a decrease of 100 hours, 100 instead of 200 hr an increase of $1,200 personnel costs, $3,700 instead of $2,500 a decrease of $119 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $125. Industry request for assistance an increase of $60 personnel costs, $185 instead of $125 a decrease of $14 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $20. Update to provider information a decrease of 2 responses, 1 instead of 3 an increase of $12 personnel costs, $37 instead of $25 a decrease of $1 miscellaneous costs, 0 instead of 1 Observer provider permit application an increase of $720 miscellaneous costs, $2,220 instead of $1,500. Copies of invoices an increase of $3,600 personnel costs, $11,100 instead of $7,500 a decrease of $619 miscellaneous costs, $6 instead of $625. Observer Fee submittal (removed) a decrease of 160 respondents and responses, 0 instead of 160 a decrease of 40 hours, 0 instead of 40 hr a decrease of $40 personnel costs, $0 instead of $40 a decrease of $24 miscellaneous costs, 0 instead of $24

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $61,646

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

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]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

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: 11/09/2015

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