View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 0648-0318	ICR Reference No: 201512-0648-008
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 201511-0648-003
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: 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: Comment filed on proposed rule and continue	Conclusion Date: 02/01/2016
	Date Received in OIRA: 12/29/2015
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. Prior to publication of the final rule, the agency must submit to OMB a summary of all comments related to the information collection contained in the proposed rule and the agency response. The agency should clearly indicate any changes made to the information collection as a result of these comments.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2018	12/31/2018	12/31/2018
Responses	9,234	0	9,234
Time Burden (Hours)	2,643	0	2,643
Cost Burden (Dollars)	591	0	591

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).This action would move three catcher/processors from the full observer coverage category to the partial observer coverage category. This action would modify the criteria used by NMFS to place small catcher/processors in the partial observer coverage category in the Observer Program. The owners of non-trawl catcher/processors could choose to be in the partial observer coverage category for the upcoming fishing year if their vessels processed less than 79,000 lb (35.8 mt) of groundfish on an average weekly basis in a prior year, as specified in this rule. This action does not alter observer coverage requirements for a catcher/processor using trawl gear or for a catcher/processor when participating in a Limited Access or catch share program; these catcher/processors would continue to be required to be in the full observer coverage category

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:
0648-BF36	Proposed rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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: Three responses, 2 hours and 6 dollars were added for the new partial observer coverage request.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $61,683

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