Northeast Region Observer Providers Requirements

OMB Control No: 0648-0546	ICR Reference No: 202011-0648-007
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201708-0648-002
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Northeast Region Observer Providers Requirements
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 12/02/2020

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	01/31/2021
Responses	29,809	29,809
Time Burden (Hours)	5,252	5,252
Cost Burden (Dollars)	44,937	44,936

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Abstract: Amendment 13 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop (scallop) Fishery Management Plan (FMP), developed by the applicable Fishery Management Council, as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, implemented an industry funded observer program which included reporting requirements for both observer service providers as well as the scallop fishing industry. Frameworks 19 and 24 further revised the scallop observer program and implemented additional information collection requirements to allow for more effective administration of the program. Observer coverage in the scallop fishery is necessary to monitor the bycatch of finfish including yellowtail flounder, skates, monkfish, cod, and other species. Monitoring of yellowtail flounder and windowpane flounder bycatch is of particular concern because the scallop fishery is constrained by a catch allocation for these species under the Northeast Multispecies FMP. Observer coverage is also needed to monitor interactions of the scallop fishery with endangered and threatened sea turtles.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 94 - 265 303 Name of Law: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 40623	07/07/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 77179	12/01/2020
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 17

IC Title Form No. Form Name Observer debriefings Biological samples Other (predominantly incident) reports Notification of unavailability of observers Rebuttal of pending removal from list of approved observer providers Observer deployment report Observer availability report Safety refusals Raw observer data Observer availability updates Service provider contracts Applicant response to a denial Request for observer training Request for an observer Observer contact list updates Service provider material submissions New observer provider permit application

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	29,809	29,809	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	5,252	5,252	0	0	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	44,937	44,936	0	0	1	0

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:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $63,360

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     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? No

Agency Contact: Alyson PItts 978 281-9352

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 12/02/2020

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