Temporary Alaska Observer Program

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
0731 resub BF25 033116.ss.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2016-04-01	Available

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
219636	Notification of observer before handling the vessel's Bering Sea pollock catch		Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0731	ICR Reference No: 201606-0648-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201604-0648-001
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Temporary Alaska Observer Program
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: 06/10/2016
	Date Received in OIRA: 06/10/2016
Terms of Clearance:

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	06/30/2019	36 Months From Approved
Responses	200	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	7	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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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. Processors are required to allow observers to “use the … processor’s communication equipment and personnel, on request, for the entry, transmission, and receipt of work-related messages, at no cost to the observers or the United States". The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) would extend the requirements to catcher vessels less than 125 ft length overall (LOA) to provide a computer with ATLAS software installed on it while participating in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. An observer must be allowed to use the vessel’s communications equipment and personnel, on request, for the confidential entry, transmission, and receipt of work-related messages, at no cost to the observer or the United States (U.S.). This collection will be merged into OMB Control No. 0648-0318 after this request and an 0318 revision request are approved.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1773 Name of Law: Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982
   US Code: 16 USC 1801 et seq Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
0648-BF25	Final or interim final rulemaking	81 FR 37574	06/10/2016

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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: 1

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Notification of observer before handling the vessel's Bering Sea pollock catch

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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	200	0	0	200	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	7	0	0	7	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

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: This action requires observer access on catcher vessels less than 125 ft LOA to use the vessel’s communications equipment and personnel, on request, for the confidential entry, transmission, and receipt of work-related messages, at no cost to the observer or the United States. Access to a computer for electronic data entry significantly increases the speed observer data can be made available for inseason management and catch accounting. Further, the data validation measures built into the software improves initial data quality and decreases the need for corrections during the observer debriefing process. There is no change to burden, as this is a temporary new collection (new burden is 7 hours).. After approval of this request, and of a revision to OMB Control No. 0648-0318 in relation to RIN 0648-BF36, this burden will be added to the existing collection.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

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: 04/01/2016

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