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

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Southeast Reef Fish Program Form and Instruction	New
Gulf of Mexico Snapper-Grouper Observer Program Form	Removed
WCROP: West Coast Region Observer Program - some forms shared with PIRO Form	Modified
GOM: Gulf of Mexico Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
SEPOP: Southeast Pelagic Observer Program Form	Modified
Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
PIROP: Pacific Islands Region Observer Program Form	Modified
WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Programs & At Sea Hake Observer Program (A-SHOP) Form and Instruction	Modified
AMMOP: Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
North Pacific Groundfish & Halibut Observer Program plus Processing Plants Form	Modified
NEFOP: Northeast Fisheries Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
0648-0593 30day 85 FR 79473_121020.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-12-10
Vessel Selection Brief - WCGOP.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-12-01
Vessel Selection Brief - NEFOP.docx Supplementary Document	2020-12-01
Sampling Methodology - Pacific Islands Region.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-12-01
Sampling Methodology - West Coast Groundfish Observer Program.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-12-01
PRA statement - Observer Logbook.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-11-13
0648-0593 List of forms.xlsx Supplementary Document	2020-11-10
Sampling Methodology - Gulf of Mexico and Pelagic Observer Programs for the Southeast Observer Program.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-11-10
Sampling Methodology - Southeast Observer Program.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-11-10
Sampling Methodology - Northeast Observer Program.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-11-10
Sampling Methodology - Alaska Region.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-11-10
0648-0593 Supporting Statement A.docx Supporting Statement A	2020-11-10
0648-0593 Supporting Statement B.docx Supporting Statement B	2020-11-09
0648-0593 60-day 85 FR 46071 2020-0731.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-11-02

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
244347	Southeast Reef Fish Program Form and Instruction	New
199362	Gulf of Mexico Snapper-Grouper Observer Program Form	Removed
189855	WCROP: West Coast Region Observer Program - some forms shared with PIRO Form	Modified
189854	GOM: Gulf of Mexico Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
189853	SEPOP: Southeast Pelagic Observer Program Form	Modified
189852	Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
189851	PIROP: Pacific Islands Region Observer Program Form	Modified
189850	WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Programs & At Sea Hake Observer Program (A-SHOP) Form and Instruction	Modified
189838	AMMOP: Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified
189835	North Pacific Groundfish & Halibut Observer Program plus Processing Plants Form	Modified
189834	NEFOP: Northeast Fisheries Observer Program Form and Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0593	ICR Reference No: 202011-0648-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202006-0648-003
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	Date Submitted to OIRA: 12/10/2020

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	01/31/2021
Responses	13,935	19,606
Time Burden (Hours)	18,436	28,419
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,050	1,152

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Abstract: This request is for an extension and revision to an existing information collection (OMB Control No. 0648-0593): Observer Programs’ 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.

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Authorizing Statute(s): 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
   US Code: 16 USC 31 Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 46071	07/31/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 79473	12/10/2020
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
PIROP: Pacific Islands Region Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Trip specifications log - American Samoa ,   Set and haul information - American Samoa ,   gear configuration log - American Samoa ,   American Samoa Trip expenditure form (captain) ,   Hawaii Observer performance evaluation for captains ,   Hawaii Trip expenditure form (captain)-English, Korean, Vietnamese ,   Hawaii Trip specifications ,   General vessel and trip information for all vessel types-English ,   Hawaii Set and haul information ,   Hawaii Gear configuration form
Southeast Shark Fishery Observer Program	NA, NA, NA	Safety Checklist ,   Vessel Reimbursement ,   Fisherman Feedback
AMMOP: Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program	NA	Vessel/Plant Operator Comment Form
SEPOP: Southeast Pelagic Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Vessel safety checklist ,   Observer Evaluation ,   Reimbursement Invoice for Contract Observers - Liability Insurance ,   Reimbursement Invoice for Contract Observers - Meal reimbursement ,   Sea Turtle Release Equipment Checklist ,   Highly Migratory Species Observer Notification Form
WCROP: West Coast Region Observer Program - some forms shared with PIRO	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	DN Gear and Set ,   SN Gear and Set ,   Purse Seine Gear and Set ,   Deep Set Buoy Gear Trip Specifications ,   Longline Trip Expense Form ,   Trip Specification Form (LL) ,   Set Haul Information ,   Gear Configuration ,   Safety checklist
NEFOP: Northeast Fisheries Observer Program	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	Pre-Trip Vessel Safefy Checklist ,   Vessel and Trip Information Log ,   Gillnet Characteristics Log ,   Gillnet Haul Log ,   Trawl gear characteristics log ,   Trawl haul log ,   Pair and single midwater gear characteristics log ,   Pair and single midwater haul log ,   Twin trawl gear log ,   Twin trawl haul log ,   Scallop trawl gear characteristics log ,   Scallop trawl haul log ,   Scallop trawl off-watch haul log ,   Scallop dredge gear characeristics log ,   Scallop dredge haul log ,   Scallop dredge off-watch haul log ,   Lobster, Crab, and Fish Pot Gear Characteristics Log ,   Lobster, Crab, and Fish Pot Haul Log ,   Purse seine gear characteristics log ,   Purse seine Set Log ,   Beach Seine Gear/Beach Anchored Gillnet Gear Characteristics ,   Beach Seine/Beach Anchored Gillnet Haul Log ,   Longline Gear Characteristics Log ,   Longline Haul Log ,   Clam/Quahog Dredge Gear Characteristics Log ,   Clam/Quahog Dregde Haul Log ,   Clam/Quahog Dredge Off-Watch Haul Log ,   Catch Composition Log ,   NMFS Fishery Observer Program Discard Log ,   Fishermen's Comment Card ,   Captain Interview Questions ,   Trip Data Release Form
North Pacific Groundfish & Halibut Observer Program plus Processing Plants	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Fishing effort summary fixed gear ,   Fishing effort summary trawl gear ,   Vessel/Plant Operator Comment Form ,   Safety checklist ,   Tagged Fish and Crab Form
WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Programs & At Sea Hake Observer Program (A-SHOP)	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Safety Checklist ,   Vessel Diagram ,   Trip Information Form ,   Trawl Deck Form ,   Fixed Gear Deck Form ,   Trawl Bycatch Reduction Device Characterization Form ,   Hook and Line Fleet Chracterization Form ,   IFQ Priority Species Tracking Form ,   Retained Sablefish Collection Form ,   Tagged Fish Form ,   Hook & Line EFP Sampling Form ,   OTS App (Observer Trip Selection) ,   Vessel Safety checklist ,   A-SHOP Logbook ,   Bird Interaction Activity and Species Form ,   Marine Mammal Interaction & Specimen Form ,   A-SHOP Deck Form ,   A-SHOP Observer Haul Form ,   Bird Specimen and Tag Form ,   A-SHOP Vessel Haul Form ,   Marine Mammal Sighting Form ,   Marine Mammal, Seabird and Sea Turtle Interaction and Sighting Form ,   A-SHOP Trip Form
GOM: Gulf of Mexico Observer Program	NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA	Observer evaluation ,   Pre-trip safety checklist ,   Reef Fish selection letter ,   RF Observer Notification ,   Shrimp Observer Notification ,   Panama City Vessel PreCheck ,   Vessel reimbursement form
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
Southeast Reef Fish Program	NA, NA, NA	Safety Checklist ,   Vessel Reimbursement ,   Fisherman Feedback

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	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	13,935	19,606	0	0	-5,671	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	18,436	28,419	0	0	-9,983	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,050	1,152	0	0	-102	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: 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.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $55,911,949

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

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? Yes

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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: 12/10/2020

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