Notice2024-01926
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; An Observer Program for At Sea Processing Vessels in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 31, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6098-6099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01926]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; An Observer Program for At Sea Processing Vessels in the
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before April 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6e8e9e7e788f6f4e7e6c8c9c7c788c1c9d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c987868888e7999b8889a7a6a8a8e7aea6bf">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0500 in the subject line of your
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise
sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Matt Dunlap, Fishery Policy Analyst, West Coast Regional Office,
7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, (206) 526-6119, or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#64090510100c01134a00110a080514240a0b05054a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80ede1f4f4e8e5f7aee4f5eeece1f0c0eeefe1e1aee7eff6">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
In 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) mandated
observer requirements for the West Coast groundfish trawl catch shares
program. For all fishery sectors, observers must be obtained through
third-party observer provider companies operating under permits issued
by NMFS. The regulations at Sec. Sec. 660.140 (h), 660.150 (j), and
660.160 (g), specify observer coverage requirements for trawl vessels
and define the responsibilities for observer providers, including
reporting requirements. Regulations at Sec. 660.140 (i) specify
requirements for catch monitor coverage for first receivers. Data
collected by observers are used by NMFS to estimate total landed catch
and discards, monitor the attainment of annual groundfish allocations,
estimate catch rates of prohibited species, and as a component in stock
assessments. These data are necessary to comply with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act requirements to prevent overfishing. In addition, observer
data is used to assess fishing related mortality of protected and
endangered species.
II. Method of Collection
This collection utilizes both electronic and paper forms, depending
on the specific item. Methods of submittal include email of electronic
forms, and mail and facsimile transmission of paper forms.
Additionally, this collection utilizes interviews for some information
collection and phone calls for transmission of other information.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0500.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current
information collection).
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 268 (5 providers (supplying a
total of 75 observers or catch monitors) and 263 fishing vessels).
Estimated Time per Response: For providers: 15 minutes for observer
training/briefing/debriefing registration, notification of observer
physical examination, observer status reports, other reports on
observer harassment, safety concerns, or performance problems, catch
monitor status reports, and other catch monitor reports on harassment,
prohibited actions, illness or injury, or performance problems; 5
minutes for observer safety checklist submission to NMFS, observer
provider contracts, observer information materials, catch monitor
provider contracts, and catch monitor informational materials; 10
minutes for certificate of insurance; 7 minutes for catch monitor
training/briefing registration, notification of catch monitor physical
examination, and catch monitor debriefing registration. For vessels: 10
minutes for fishing departure reports and cease-fishing reports.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 525 (305 for providers and 220
for fishing vessels.
[[Page 6099]]
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in capital costs as it is
assumed that each of the 5 observer/catch monitor providers will
maintain a computer system with email capacity for general business
purposes and each vessel owner/operator has access to a telephone for
toll-free calls.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: The regulations at Sec. Sec. 660.140 (h), 660.150
(j), and 660.160 (g), specify observer coverage requirements for trawl
vessels and define the responsibilities for observer providers,
including reporting requirements. Regulations at Sec. 660.140 (i)
specify requirements for catch monitor coverage for first receivers.
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-01926 Filed 1-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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