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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AW24 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: Revise Regulations Governing the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program 
Abstract: This rulemaking would revise Federal regulations relevant to numerous administrative and procedural requirements applicable to observer providers, observers, and industry participating in the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program. Specifically, the proposed actions would: Modify the current permit issuance process so that observer and observer provider permit issuance is a discretionary National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) decision; amend current Federal regulations addressing observer behavior involving drugs, alcohol, and physical sexual conduct to remove NMFS oversight of observer behavior that does not affect job performance; require that observer providers submit policies related to these activities and continue to notify NMFS upon learning of an incident; revise Federal regulations so that observer providers are allowed to provide observers or technical staff for purposes of exempted fishing permits, scientific research permits, or other scientific research activities; revise the definition of "fishing day" in Federal regulations; require observer providers to annually submit detailed economic information to NMFS; specify a date by which observers who have collected data in the previous fishing year would be required to be available for debriefing; and implement housekeeping issues related to errors or clarifications in existing regulations at 50 CFR 679.50. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679   
Legal Authority: 118 Stat 110    16 USC 773 et seq    16 USC 1801 et seq    16 USC 3631 et seq    PL 108-199   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  02/00/2009    
NPRM Comment Period End  03/00/2009    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
James Balisger
Regional Administrator
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, P.O. Box 21668,
Juneau, AK 99802
Phone:907 586-7221
Fax:907 586-7249
Email: james.balsiger@noaa.gov