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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AW24 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: Revise Regulations Governing the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program 
Abstract: This rulemaking revises 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, this action: Modifies the current permit issuance process so that observer and observer provider permit issuance is a discretionary National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) decision; amends 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; requires that observer providers submit policies related to these activities and continue to notify NMFS upon learning of an incident; revises 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; revises the definition of "fishing day" in Federal regulations; requires observer providers to annually submit detailed economic information to NMFS; specifies a date by which observers who have collected data in the previous fishing year would be required to be available for debriefing; and implements 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: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679    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  09/30/2009  74 FR 50155   
NPRM Comment Period End  10/31/2009    
Final Action  11/10/2010  75 FR 69016   
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:
Robert D. Mecum
Deputy Acting Administrator
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Room 420, 709 West Ninth Street,
Juneau, AK 99802
Phone:907 586-7221
Fax:907 586-7249
Email: robert.mecum@noaa.gov