NMFS Observer Programs' Information That Can Be Gathered Only Through Questions
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved without change
01/14/2021
12/10/2020
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/2024
36 Months From Approved
01/31/2021
13,935
0
19,606
18,436
0
28,419
1,050
0
1,152
This request is for an extension and revision to an existing information collection (OMB Control No. 0648-0593): Observer Programsâ Information That Can Be Gathered Only through Questions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) deploys fishery observers on United States (U.S.) fishing vessels and to fish processing plants in order to collect biological and economic data and to monitor industry regulatory compliance. Under an OMB approved information collection observers collect information from fishing vessel captains/crew or fish processing plant managers/staff prior to deployment. This information is used to assess whether the vessel or plan satisfies applicable safety requirements. In June 2020, NMFS received emergency approval from OMB to add six questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic to the above mentioned information collection. The added safety questions are necessary to ensure that an observer can be safely deployed on a specific fishing vessel or stationed at a specific processing plant and work safely once assigned to a specific vessel or plant. With this renewal request NMFS would like to update the six questions to also include other communicable diseases, and make four other minor changes to this collection. This will allow observer programs flexibility when other communicable diseases arise in the United States.
Additional revisions include:
The expansion of observers to include an additional fishery. The Southeast region will begin sending observers out on Southeast reef fish fishery trips and thus needs to add this fishery to this collection.
A combination of two programs previously listed as separate; the Gulf of Mexico reef fish and shrimp program and grouper snapper program.
The West Coast Groundfish Observer Program (WCGOP) would like to start collecting the names of crew members within their observer logbooks. The data will be recorded on paper, scanned in, and stored according to vessel name. This information will only be accessed if there is an enforcement issue.
Also within the West Coast Groundfish Observer Program: They have introduced a new phone app that captains are using to declare upcoming fishing trips and NMFS is using to let them know if they have been selected for observer coverage.
Finally, some forms have been removed from this control number as they are completed based upon direct observation by an employee or agent of the sponsoring agency and are therefore exempt from the PRA requirements. A list of all forms, included and removed, is uploaded as a Supplemental Document.
PL:
Pub.L. 94 - 265 303
Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
US Code:
16 USC 1531-1544
Name of Law: Endangered Species Act of 1973
US Code:
16 USC 31
Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
Number of observed vessels and expected number of observed trips have been updated based on 2019 data. In addition, 5 minutes was added to the response time for each planned observer trip, with the exception of Alaskan trips for which only 1 minute was added. Alaska has their own COVID-19 requirements specific for fishing boats that answers most of the questions the observers are planning to ask, reducing the response time for those observed trips. A new collection (Southeast Reef Fish Programs) was added to the collection.
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.
Southeast Reef Fish Program