NMFS Observer Programs' Information That Can Be Gathered Only Through Questions

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Northeast At-Sea Monitors Form	New
Southwest Region Observer Program - currently unfunded but requesting burden approval Form and Instruction	Removed
Southwest Region Observer Program - some forms shared with PIRO Form and Instruction	Modified
Southeast Pelagic Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
Pacific Islands Region Observer Program Form	Modified
Alaska Marine Mammal Observer program Form and Instruction	Modified
North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end) Form	Modified
Vessel Selection Brief 9-9.docx Supplementary Document	2015-09-22
crd1504_2015 Discard Estimation Precision and Sample Size Analyses.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-09-22
2015_SBRM_Annual_Discard_Report_and_Observer_Sea_Day_Allocation_using_Apr16budget_05132015v2_rev.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-09-22
0593 SS Part B 092115.docx Supporting Statement B	2015-09-22
0593 SS Part A 091415.doc Supporting Statement A	2015-09-21
WCGOP VESSEL SELECTION CRITERIA 2015.docx Supplementary Document	2015-09-21
final2015adp.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-09-21
hawaii.dsll.sampledesign (1).pdf Supplementary Document	2015-09-21
0593Ren15 statistical sampling methods.docx Supplementary Document	2015-09-21

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
217535	Northeast At-Sea Monitors Form	New
199362	Gulf of Mexico Snapper-Grouper Observer Program Other-correspondence	Modified
189859	Southwest Region Observer Program - currently unfunded but requesting burden approval Form and Instruction	Removed
189855	Southwest Region Observer Program - some forms shared with PIRO Form and Instruction	Modified
189854	Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Shrimp Observer Program Other-correspondence	Modified
189853	Southeast Pelagic Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
189852	Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program Instruction	Modified
189851	Pacific Islands Region Observer Program Form	Modified
189850	WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Program s: Catch Share and LE Sablefish - all forms but 2 indicated are for both programs Instruction	Modified
189842	At-Sea Hake Observer Program (Northwest) Other-PRA statement	Modified
189838	Alaska Marine Mammal Observer program Form and Instruction	Modified
189835	North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
189834	Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end) Form	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0593	ICR Reference No: 201507-0648-009
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201503-0648-008
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: NMFS Observer Programs' Information That Can Be Gathered Only Through Questions
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 10/29/2015
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/21/2015
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	10/31/2018	36 Months From Approved	11/30/2015
Responses	19,774	0	19,296
Time Burden (Hours)	27,238	0	26,782
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,161	0	1,369

---

Abstract: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) deploys fishery observers on United States fishing vessels and to fish processing plants in order to collect biological and economic data. NMFS has at least one observer program in each of its six regions. These observer programs provide the only reliable and/or most effective method for obtaining information that is critical for the conservation and management of living marine resources. Observer programs primarily collect data through direct observations by employees or agents of NMFS or through non-standardized oral communication in connection with such direct observations; however, observer programs also collect information that can only be obtained by asking questions of the respondents thus requiring clearance under the PRA.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 31 Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
   US Code: 16 USC 1531-1544 Name of Law: Endangered Species Act of 1973
   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:
	80 FR 22501	04/22/2015
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	80 FR 56445	09/18/2015
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 12

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Gulf of Mexico Snapper-Grouper Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Fisherman feedback form ,   Observer evaluation ,   Observer notification form ,   Pre-trip safety checklist ,   Vessel reimbursement form
WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Program s: Catch Share and LE Sablefish - all forms but 2 indicated are for both programs	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Safety checklist ,   West Coast Groundfish Catch Shares Catch Form ,   West Coast Groundfish Catch Shares Species Composition Form ,   West Coast Groundfish Catch Shares Trip Form ,   Catch Shares Fixed Gear Catch Form ,   Catch shares trawl and prawn catch form ,   Shrimp bycatch reduction form - Limited Access only ,   Hook and Line Fleet Characterization Form ,   Pacific Halibut Viability Log ,   IFQ Priority Species Tracking From - Catch Shares only
Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Shrimp Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA	Observer evaluation ,   Pre-trip safety checklist ,   observer notification form ,   Observer reimbursement form
Pacific Islands Region Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Placement checklist ,   Post-trip interview (observer evaluation) ,   Trip expenditure form (captain) -English ,   General vessel and trip information - English ,   General vessel and trip information - Korean ,   General vessel and trip information - Vietnamese ,   Trip expenditure form - Korean ,   Trip expenditure form - Vietnamese ,   Observer performance evaluation for captains ,   Marine debris report form ,   Protected species event log ,   Protected Species Event log - American Samoa ,   Set haul log ,   Trip specifications log ,   Trip specifications log - American Samoa ,   Gear configuration log ,   Gear Configuration Form ,   gear configuration log - American Samoa ,   Set and haul log - American Samoa
Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA	Observer notification form ,   Safety checklist ,   Reimbursement form ,   Observer evaluation form
North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Vessel/Plant Operator Comment Form ,   Safety checklist ,   Tagged Fish and Crab Form ,   Fishing effort summary fixed gear ,   Fishing effort summary trawl gear
At-Sea Hake Observer Program (Northwest)	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Safety checklist ,   Bird interaction, activity and species form ,   Marine Mammal Interaction and Speciman form ,   Deck form ,   Observer haul form ,   Seabilrd Speciman Collection Form ,   Vessel Haul form ,   Marine Mammal Sighting Form ,   Trip form
Northeast At-Sea Monitors	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Bottom trawl gear characteristics log ,   Bottom Trawl Haul Log ,   Discard Log ,   Gillnet gear characteristics log ,   Gillnet haul log ,   Incidental take log ,   Individual animal log ,   Length frequency log ,   Longline gear characteristics log ,   Longline Haul Log ,   Vessel and trip log ,   Fishermen's Comment Log ,   Pretrip Vessel and Safety Checklist ,   Meal reimbursement form ,   vessel reimbursement form
Southwest Region Observer Program - currently unfunded but requesting burden approval	NA, NA, NA	Safety checklist ,   Drift gillnet trip expense form ,   Pre-trip notification form
Alaska Marine Mammal Observer program	NA, NA	Data release form ,   Fishermen's comment card
Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Observer Notification Form ,   Safety checklist with PRA statement ,   Observer evaluation form ,   Reimbursement for for assistance with bluefin tuna samplin ,   Reimbursement for equipment expenses ,   Reimbursement for insurance expenses
Southwest Region Observer Program - some forms shared with PIRO	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Safety checklist ,   Specimen log ,   Tag events ,   Trip specification log ,   Sea turle biological data form ,   Fish and invertebrate measurement data ,   shark life history form ,   Seabird mitigation form ,   Seabird biological data form ,   Catch event log ,   Gear configuration log ,   Marine mammal biological data form ,   Photo log ,   Protected species event log ,   Set and haul information ,   Sketch form including description of category - if a sketch is needed for some purpose
Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (forms all/mostly completed by fishermen at end)	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Beach Sein Gear/Beach Anchored Gillnet Gear Characteristics ,   Beach seine/beach anchored gillnet haul log ,   Carch composition log ,   Clam/quohog gear characteristics log ,   Clam/Quahog Haul Log ,   Clam/Quohog off-watch haul log ,   Crustacean Sample Log ,   Gillnet Characteristics Log ,   Gillnet haul log ,   Individual Animal Log ,   Length Frequency Log ,   Lobster, crab and fish pot gear characteristics ,   Lobster, crab and fish pot haul log ,   Longline gear characteristics log ,   Longline haul log ,   Marine mammal biological sample log ,   Marine mammal/sea turtle/sea bird incidental take log ,   Pair and single midwater gear characteristics log ,   Pair and single midwater haul log ,   Protected species sighting log ,   Purse seine gear characteristics log ,   Purse Seine Set Log ,   Scallop dredge gear characteristics log ,   Scallop dredge haul log ,   Scallop dredge off-watch haul log ,   Scallop trawl gear characteristics log ,   Scallop trawl haul log ,   Scallop trawl off-watch haul log ,   Sea turtle biological sample log ,   Trawl gear characteristics log ,   Trawl haul log ,   Twin trawl haul log ,   Data release form ,   Fishermen's Comment Card ,   Pre-Deployment Safety Checklist ,   Vessel and Trip Information Log ,   Vessel reimbursement form ,   NMFS Fishery Observer Program Discard log ,   Twin trawl gear lo ,   Pinger Tester Worksheet ,   Vessel selection letter ,   Captain Interview Questions ,   Contractor meal reimbursement form ,   Observer meal reimbursement form ,   Observer meal reimbursement form

---

ICR Summary 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	19,774	19,296	0	0	478	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	27,238	26,782	0	0	456	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,161	1,369	0	0	-208	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: Adjustments: There was a decrease of 270 active vessels, from 12,517 to 12,247, due to decrease in size of more than one fleet; this is consistent with rationalization of the U.S. fishing fleet. Planned observed vessels have decreased from 4,490 to 3,699. However, probably due to cumulative small changes in sample size, estimated responses increased by 478, from 19,296 to 19,774. Estimated hours increased by 455, from 26,783 to 27,238, with an estimated total compliance rate of 96%, compared to the previous 97%.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

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

---

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: 09/21/2015

---