View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 0648-0318	ICR Reference No: 201511-0648-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201211-0648-012
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Alaska Observer Program
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: 12/14/2015
	Date Received in OIRA: 11/09/2015
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2018	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2015
Responses	9,234	0	14,358
Time Burden (Hours)	2,643	0	4,130
Cost Burden (Dollars)	591	0	3,256

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 The restructured Observer Program, which began in 2013, expanded observer coverage to fill scientific data gaps, reduce bias in the data, and more equitably distribute costs for observer coverage. This program expanded coverage to nearly all catcher/processors, the halibut and sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fisheries, and vessels between 40 ft and 60 ft length overall(LOA). This program reduces bias in fishery-dependent data by using a scientific method to deploy observers, as explained in the 2015 Annual Deployment Plan (ADP).

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 194 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as amended in 2006

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 28976	05/20/2015
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	80 FR 69200	11/09/2015
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	9,234	14,358	-5,124
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	2,643	4,130	-1,487
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	591	3,256	-2,665

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 are made to decrease the number of respondents, to change the personnel hourly costs from $25/hr to $37/hr, and to remove any costs associated with online submittal. Observer Declare & Deploy System (ODDS) a decrease of 72 respondents, 417 instead of 489 a decrease of 4,957 responses, 5,883 instead of 10,840 a decrease of 1,239 hours, 1,471 instead of 2,710 hr a decrease of $3,330 personnel costs, $54,427 instead of $57,757 a decrease of $1,626 miscellaneous costs, 0 instead of $1,626 Electronic monitoring exemption an increase of $12 personnel costs, $37 instead of $25 a decrease of $1 miscellaneous costs, 0 instead of $1 Notify one-time electronic monitoring instead of observer coverage an increase of $12 personnel costs, $37 instead of $25 Observer training registration an increase of $120 personnel costs, $370 instead of $250 a decrease of $114 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $120. Observer briefing registration a decrease of 1 hour, 35 instead of 36 hr an increase of $432 personnel costs, $1,332 instead of $1295 a decrease of $15 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $21. Observer candidate transcripts a decrease of 5 hours, 40 instead of 45 hr an increase of $480 personnel costs, $1,480 instead of $1,000 Projected observer assignments a decrease of 3 hours, 105 instead of 108 hr an increase of $1,260 personnel costs, $3,885 instead of $2,625 a decrease of $45 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $51. Physical examination verification a decrease of 5 hours, 25 instead of 24 hr an increase of $300 personnel costs, $925 instead of $625 a decrease of $15 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $21. Observer deployment/logistics an increase of $372 personnel costs, $1,147 instead of $775 a decrease of $13 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $19. Observer debriefing registration an increase of $5,400 personnel costs, $16,650 instead of $11,250 a decrease of $45 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $51. Certificates of insurance an increase of $12 personnel costs, $37 instead of $25 a decrease of $6 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $12. Observer provider contracts an increase of $36 personnel costs, $111 instead of $75 Other reports (conduct, behavior) a decrease of 100 hours, 100 instead of 200 hr an increase of $1,200 personnel costs, $3,700 instead of $2,500 a decrease of $119 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $125. Industry request for assistance an increase of $60 personnel costs, $185 instead of $125 a decrease of $14 miscellaneous costs, 6 instead of $20. Update to provider information a decrease of 2 responses, 1 instead of 3 an increase of $12 personnel costs, $37 instead of $25 a decrease of $1 miscellaneous costs, 0 instead of 1 Observer provider permit application an increase of $720 miscellaneous costs, $2,220 instead of $1,500. Copies of invoices an increase of $3,600 personnel costs, $11,100 instead of $7,500 a decrease of $619 miscellaneous costs, $6 instead of $625. Observer Fee submittal (removed) a decrease of 160 respondents and responses, 0 instead of 160 a decrease of 40 hours, 0 instead of 40 hr a decrease of $40 personnel costs, $0 instead of $40 a decrease of $24 miscellaneous costs, 0 instead of $24

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $61,646

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

Agency Contact: Patsy Bearden 907 586-7008

View ICR - OIRA Conclusion