Northeast Region Observer Providers Requirements

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
0648-0546 30-Day 89 FR 37178 2024-0506.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2024-05-06	Repair queued
0648-0546 PRA Statement for Forms.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2024-04-30	Repair queued
0648-0546 60 Day 89 FR 6096 2024-0131.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2024-04-30	Repair queued
0648-0546 Supporting Statement A.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2024-04-30	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
4660	Observer Deployment Report	Instruction	Modified
198131	Service Provider Contracts	Instruction	Modified
198130	Service Provider Material Submissions	Instruction	Modified
198129	Observer Contact List Updates	Instruction	Modified
198128	Notification of Unavailability of Observers	Instruction	Modified
198127	Request for an Observer	Instruction	Modified
198126	Rebuttal of Pending Removal from List of Approved Observer Providers	Instruction	Modified
198125	Request for Observer Training	Instruction	Modified
198124	Applicant Response to a Denial	Instruction	Modified
198123	New Permit Application for Observer Provider	Instruction	Modified
198122	Biological Samples	Instruction	Modified
198121	Other (predominantly incident) Reports	Instruction	Modified
198116	Observer Debriefings	Instruction	Modified
184148	Raw Observer Data	Instruction	Modified
184147	Safety Refusals	Instruction	Modified
184146	Observer Availability Updates	Instruction	Modified
184145	Observer Availability Report	Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0546	ICR Reference No: 202404-0648-020
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202112-0648-002
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Northeast Region Observer Providers Requirements
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: 05/06/2024
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	36,590	0	35,529
Time Burden (Hours)	6,475	0	6,185
Cost Burden (Dollars)	56,818	0	50,547

---

Abstract: This request is for an extension and revison to a currently approved information collection. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) has the responsibility for the conservation and management of marine fishery resources. Much of this responsibility has been delegated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Under this stewardship role, the Secretary was given certain regulatory authorities to ensure the most beneficial uses of these resources. One of the regulatory steps taken to carry out the conservation and management objectives is to collect data from users of the resource. Previously, vessels either called or email to notify NMFS of an upcoming scallop trip. NMFS has added a new method for notification called the Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS). The integration of the scallop notification requirement into the PTNS helps standardize observer operations between fisheries and modernize reporting systems. The PTNS is a mobile-friendly website that is more sophisticated and flexible than the aging interactive voice response technology. The change to the PTNS does not affect determination of scallop coverage rates or the compensation analysis. There are no changes to the requirements vessels must abide by if selected to carry an observer, such as equal accommodations, a harassment-free environment, and other safety requirements. This change is not expected to impact the burden response time, but NOAA will continue to monitor use of this new tool, and will update the collection if it results in any burden changes at our next renewal. There will still be an email and a phone option for vessels to notify. These requirements allow NMFS/NEFOP to effectively administer the scallop observer program.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation 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 6096	01/31/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 37178	05/06/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 17

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Applicant Response to a Denial
Biological Samples
New Permit Application for Observer Provider
Notification of Unavailability of Observers
Observer Availability Report
Observer Availability Updates
Observer Contact List Updates
Observer Debriefings
Observer Deployment Report
Other (predominantly incident) Reports
Raw Observer Data
Rebuttal of Pending Removal from List of Approved Observer Providers
Request for Observer Training
Request for an Observer
Safety Refusals
Service Provider Contracts
Service Provider Material Submissions

---

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	36,590	35,529	0	0	1,061	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	6,475	6,185	0	1	289	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	56,818	50,547	0	0	6,271	0

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

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: NMFS approved an additional observer service provider, increasing the number of providers from three to four. The additional burden hours necessary to accommodate the additional provider are reflected in the updated total burden hours. Thus, this revision increases the number of provider respondents from three to four. Labor costs previously not included, increase in postage.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $72,160

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.     No

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.     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? 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: 05/06/2024

---