An Observer Program for At-Sea Processing Vessels in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Logistics provider examples - see #4	Form	Unchanged	Available
Observer satety checklists submission to NMFS	Form	Unchanged	Repair queued
Logistics provider input examples - see #6	Form	Modified	Available
Reports on Observer/Catch Monitor harassment, safety or performance concerns	Form	Modified	Repair queued
Logistics Provider Input examples - see #5	Form	Modified	Available
Observer & Catch Monitor Status Reports	Form	Modified	Repair queued
Logistics provider input examples - see #3	Form	Modified	Available
Observer & Catch Monitor Training/Briefing/Debriefing Registration	Form	Modified	Repair queued
0648-0500 30-Day 89 FR 26865 2024-0416.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2024-04-16	Repair queued
0648-0500 60 Day 89 FR 6098 2024-0131.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2024-04-11	Repair queued
0648-0500 Supporting Statement A.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2024-04-11	Repair queued
50 CFR 660.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2021-03-17	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
231061	Notification of Observer & Catch Monitor physical exams		Modified
216264	Cease fishing reports		Unchanged
216262	Fishing departure reports		Unchanged
216261	Observer/Catch Monitor Informational Materials		Unchanged
216255	Observer & Catch Monitor provides insurance certificates		Modified
216254	Observer satety checklists submission to NMFS	Form	Unchanged	Logistics provider examples - see #4
216254	Observer satety checklists submission to NMFS	Form	Unchanged
181944	Reports on Observer/Catch Monitor harassment, safety or performance concerns	Form	Modified	Logistics provider input examples - see #6
181944	Reports on Observer/Catch Monitor harassment, safety or performance concerns	Form	Modified
181942	Observer & Catch Monitor Status Reports	Form	Modified	Logistics Provider Input examples - see #5
181942	Observer & Catch Monitor Status Reports	Form	Modified
181937	Observer & Catch Monitor Training/Briefing/Debriefing Registration	Form	Modified	Logistics provider input examples - see #3
181937	Observer & Catch Monitor Training/Briefing/Debriefing Registration	Form	Modified
181936	Observer & Catch Monitor provides contracts		Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0500	ICR Reference No: 202404-0648-005
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202103-0648-005
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: An Observer Program for At-Sea Processing Vessels in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
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: 02/20/2026
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 04/16/2024
Terms of Clearance:

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	02/28/2029	36 Months From Approved	02/28/2026
Responses	3,710	0	3,710
Time Burden (Hours)	620	0	621
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

---

Abstract: This is a request for extension of an approved information collection. In 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) mandated observer requirements for the West Coast groundfish trawl catch shares program. For all fishery sectors, observers must be obtained through third-party observer provider companies operating under permits issued by NMFS. The regulations at §§ 660.140 (h), 660.150 (j), and 660.160 (g), specify observer coverage requirements for trawl vessels and define the responsibilities for observer providers, including reporting requirements. Regulations at §660.140 (i) specify requirements for catch monitor coverage for first receivers. Data collected by observers are used by NMFS to estimate total landed catch and discards, monitor the attainment of annual groundfish allocations, estimate catch rates of prohibited species, and as a component in stock assessments. These data are necessary to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements to prevent overfishing. In addition, observer data is used to assess fishing related mortality of protected and endangered species.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 6098	01/31/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 26865	04/16/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 10

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Cease fishing reports
Fishing departure reports
Notification of Observer & Catch Monitor physical exams
Observer & Catch Monitor Status Reports	NA	Logistics Provider Input examples - see #5
Observer & Catch Monitor Training/Briefing/Debriefing Registration	NA	Logistics provider input examples - see #3
Observer & Catch Monitor provides contracts
Observer & Catch Monitor provides insurance certificates
Observer satety checklists submission to NMFS	NA	Logistics provider examples - see #4
Observer/Catch Monitor Informational Materials
Reports on Observer/Catch Monitor harassment, safety or performance concerns	NA	Logistics provider input examples - see #6

---

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	3,710	3,710	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	620	621	0	0	-1	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	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: From previous submission total annual burden hours were rounded up from 620 to 621. Appropriate calculations were made in ROCIS to correspond with chart above.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $18,960

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

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

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? No

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

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: 04/16/2024

---