Northeast Region Observer Providers Requirements

OMB Control No: 0648-0546	ICR Reference No: 202108-0648-006
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202011-0648-007
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Northeast Region Observer Providers Requirements
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 10/12/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2024	05/31/2024
Responses	35,529	29,809
Time Burden (Hours)	6,185	5,252
Cost Burden (Dollars)	50,547	44,937

---

Abstract: This is a request for revision pursuant to RIN 0648-BK68. Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (RIN: 0648-BK68) would make changes to the management of the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Management Area. Prior to Amendment 21, NGOM-permitted vessels were not required to carry observers. Amendment 21 would require that NGOM vessels call-in to the observer program and, when selected, procure and carry an observer. Expanding the observer call-in requirement to directed scallop fishing in the NGOM means that monitoring requirements will be consistent for all scallop permit types across the entirety of the Atlantic sea scallop resource within the US Exclusive Economic Zone. The information collections which are a result of Amendments 13 and 21 and Frameworks 19 and 24 are reporting requirements used by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP). Amendment 13 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop (scallop) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) 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.

---

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

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
0648-BK68	Proposed rulemaking	86 FR 54903	10/05/2021

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

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

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

---

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	35,529	29,809	0	5,720	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	6,185	5,252	0	935	-2	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	50,547	44,937	0	5,610	0	0

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: Increase in respondents in two ICs pursuant to changes proposed in Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (RIN: 0648-BK68), reduction of burden hours in one IC due to previous administrative error.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $66,099

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

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

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: 10/12/2021

---