Temporary Alaska Observer Program

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Request for Full Observer Coverage Category Form and Instruction	Unchanged
0731 rev BF80 resub 080916.ss.docx Supporting Statement A	2016-08-31

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
222034	Request for Full Observer Coverage Category Form and Instruction	Unchanged
219636	Notification of observer before handling the vessel's Bering Sea pollock catch	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0731	ICR Reference No: 201609-0648-011
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201606-0648-003
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Temporary Alaska Observer Program
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: 09/30/2016
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/30/2016
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	09/30/2019	36 Months From Approved	06/30/2019
Responses	250	0	200
Time Burden (Hours)	11	0	7
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Observers collect biological samples and fishery-dependent information on total catch and interactions with protected species. Managers use data collected by observers to monitor quotas, manage groundfish and prohibited species catch, and document and reduce fishery interactions with protected resources. Scientists use data collected by observers for stock assessments and marine ecosystem research. The stock assessments are the basis for setting annual catch quotas for groundfish species. This action would allow the owner of a catcher vessel to annually choose full observer coverage in lieu of partial observer coverage for trawl fishing activity in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area for one year.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1801 et seq Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
   US Code: 16 USC 1773 Name of Law: Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
0648-BF80	Final or interim final rulemaking	81 FR 48127	09/30/2016

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Notification of observer before handling the vessel's Bering Sea pollock catch
Request for Full Observer Coverage Category	NA	Request for full observer coverage

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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	250	200	0	50	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	11	7	0	4	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

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

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This action requires observer access on catcher vessels less than 125 ft LOA to use the vessel’s communications equipment and personnel, on request, for the confidential entry, transmission, and receipt of work-related messages, at no cost to the observer or the United States. Access to a computer for electronic data entry significantly increases the speed observer data can be made available for inseason management and catch accounting. Further, the data validation measures built into the software improves initial data quality and decreases the need for corrections during the observer debriefing process. Program Changes Request for Full Observer Coverage [NEW] an increase of 50 respondents and responses, 50 instead of 0 an increase of 4 hr burden, 4 instead of 0 hr an increase of $148 personnel costs, $148 instead of 0

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

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

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

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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: 08/31/2016

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