Alaska Observer Program

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status

No forms / supporting documents in this ICR. Check IC Document Collections.

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
4246	NMFS Alaska Region Observer Providers - candidate college transcripts and statements	Unchanged
219384	Request for partial observer coverage	New
201484	Notification of one-time election of observer coverage	Unchanged
201481	Request for electronic monitoring	Unchanged
200661	Observer appeals	Unchanged
200660	Observer declaration and deployment system	Unchanged
187144	Update to provider information	Unchanged
187143	Observer provider invoice copies	Unchanged
187142	Observer provider permit application	Unchanged
187140	Industry Request for Assistance in Improving Observer Data Quality Issues	Unchanged
187138	Other reports (formerly conduct and behavior policy)	Unchanged
187137	Observer provider contracts	Unchanged
187136	Certificates of insurance	Unchanged
187135	Observer debriefing registration	Unchanged
187131	Observer deployment/logistics report	Unchanged
187130	Physical examination verification	Unchanged
187129	Projected observer assignment	Unchanged
187128	Observer briefing registration	Unchanged
187127	Observer training registration	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0318	ICR Reference No: 201512-0648-008
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 201511-0648-003
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Alaska Observer Program
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule and continue	Conclusion Date: 02/01/2016
	Date Received in OIRA: 12/29/2015
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. Prior to publication of the final rule, the agency must submit to OMB a summary of all comments related to the information collection contained in the proposed rule and the agency response. The agency should clearly indicate any changes made to the information collection as a result of these comments.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2018	12/31/2018	12/31/2018
Responses	9,234	0	9,234
Time Burden (Hours)	2,643	0	2,643
Cost Burden (Dollars)	591	0	591

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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).This action would move three catcher/processors from the full observer coverage category to the partial observer coverage category. This action would modify the criteria used by NMFS to place small catcher/processors in the partial observer coverage category in the Observer Program. The owners of non-trawl catcher/processors could choose to be in the partial observer coverage category for the upcoming fishing year if their vessels processed less than 79,000 lb (35.8 mt) of groundfish on an average weekly basis in a prior year, as specified in this rule. This action does not alter observer coverage requirements for a catcher/processor using trawl gear or for a catcher/processor when participating in a Limited Access or catch share program; these catcher/processors would continue to be required to be in the full observer coverage category

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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:
0648-BF36	Proposed rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 19

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

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

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Three responses, 2 hours and 6 dollars were added for the new partial observer coverage request.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $61,683

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: 12/29/2015

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