NOAA Fisheries utilizes observers to
collect catch, bycatch data and other information from U.S.
commercial fishing and processing vessels. More information on the
observer population is needed to support the agency’s conservation
and management goals, to improve fishery management
decision-making, and to satisfy legal mandates under the
Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Endangered Species
Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, Executive Order 12866,
and other pertinent statutes. The National Observer Program (NOP)
is conducting a survey of fishery observers in order to investigate
incentives and disincentives for remaining an observer and to
identify their subsequent career choices. Observers are often the
only independent data collection source for federal agency and
scientists to collect at-sea data and are crucial in fishery
management. The data from this survey will be used by the NOP and
regional observer programs to improve observer recruitment and
retention rates. Improved retention of qualified and experienced
observers is expected to reduce training efforts and costs, and
improve data quality.
US Code:
16 USC 1801 et seq. Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
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.