[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67755-67760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33892]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 970829216-7305-02; I.D. 073097B]
RIN 0648-AK15


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Extension of 
the Interim Groundfish Observer Program through 1998

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues a final rule to implement a regulatory amendment 
to extend with some minor revisions the current groundfish observer 
coverage requirements and implementing regulations for the North 
Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program) that are in 
effect through December 31, 1997. This action is necessary to assure 
uninterrupted observer coverage requirements through 1998. This action 
also provides notice of changes to observer qualifications and observer 
training/briefing requirements, which are non-codified elements of the 
Observer Program.
    This action is intended to accomplish the objectives of the Fishery 
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands Area (FMPs).

DATES: Effective January 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Regulatory Impact Review/Final Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (RIR/FRFA) prepared for this regulatory amendment 
and the Environmental Assessment (EA)/RIR/FRFA prepared for the 1997 
Interim Groundfish Observer Program, dated August 27, 1996, may be 
obtained from the Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, 
P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802; telephone: 907-586-7228. Copies of 
the non-codified

[[Page 67756]]

elements of the Observer Program may be obtained also from this 
address. Send comments regarding burden estimates or any other aspect 
of the data requirements, including suggestions for reducing the 
burdens, to NMFS and to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503, 
Attn: NOAA Desk Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim S. Rivera, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The U.S. groundfish fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area in the Exclusive 
Economic Zone are managed by NMFS under the FMPs. The FMPs were 
prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) and are implemented by regulations for the U.S. 
fisheries at 50 CFR part 679. General regulations that also pertain to 
U.S. fisheries appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600.
    In 1996, the Council adopted and NMFS implemented the Interim 
Groundfish Observer Program. The Interim Groundfish Observer Program 
superseded the North Pacific Fisheries Research Plan and extended the 
1996 mandatory groundfish observer requirements through 1997, unless 
superseded by a long-term program that addresses concerns about 
observer data integrity, equitable distribution of observer coverage 
costs, and observer compensation and working conditions. NMFS continues 
to pursue a long-term solution to concerns about observer morale and 
the quality of observer data. NMFS is jointly developing with the 
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) an alternative 
observer program joint project agreement (JPA) that would address 
concerns about observer data integrity and observer compensation and 
working conditions. At its June 1997 meeting, the Council supported the 
concept of developing such a program. The Council is scheduled to take 
final action on this JPA at its February 1998 meeting. Given that this 
alternative could not be in place by January 1, 1998, the current 
interim program must be extended to assure uninterrupted observer 
coverage requirements.
    At its June 1997 meeting, the Council unanimously requested NMFS to 
extend through 1998 the current interim program, with minor revisions. 
A proposed rule to implement the interim program was published in the 
Federal Register on September 19, 1997 (62 FR 49198). Background 
information on the Interim Groundfish Observer Program may be found in 
the preamble to the proposed rule and in the RIR/FRFA prepared for this 
action. Comments on the proposed rule were invited through October 20, 
1997. Three letters of comments were received. The comments are 
summarized and responded to in the Response to Comments section below.

Changes from the Proposed Rule

    The following changes from the proposed rule are made in the final 
rule.
    (1) Proposed regulations at Sec. 679.50(i)(1)(i) exempt observer 
contractors certified prior to January 1, 1997, from the requirement to 
submit a certification application to NMFS. Comment received on the 
proposed rule questioned the situation whereby an observer contractor 
previously certified by NMFS but not actively providing observer 
services be allowed to perform the duties of an observer contractor 
without going through the NMFS certification process again. NMFS did 
not intend for this situation to be allowed and revises this final rule 
to specify that observer contractors certified prior to January 1, 
1998, and providing observer services during 1997, are exempt from the 
requirement to submit an application.
    (2) At its June 1997 meeting, the Council recommended an adjustment 
to the conflict-of-interest standard at Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(4) that 
prohibits a person from serving as an observer if that person was 
employed in a North Pacific fishery during the previous 12-month 
period. The Council recommended a less restrictive standard that would 
prohibit an observer from working on any vessel or at any shoreside 
processor owned or operated by a person who previously employed the 
observer. The proposed regulation at Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(4) is not 
necessary, because that the existing regulation at 
Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(3) meets the criteria recommended by the 
Council. Through oversight, NMFS proposed to revise 
Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(4) when actually, it should have proposed 
removing it. NMFS removes this regulation at Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(4) 
and retains the conflict-of-interest standard at 
Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(3) that states that observers may not serve as 
observers on any vessel or at any shoreside facility owned or operated 
by a person who previously employed the observers.

Regulatory Changes For The 1998 Interim Groundfish Observer Program

    After considering the public comments received, NMFS is extending 
with some minor revisions the current groundfish observer coverage 
requirements and implementing regulations for the Observer Program. 
Except for the two changes from the proposed rule noted above, the 
other minor revisions were proposed in the proposed rule. The minor 
revisions are described below.
    1. Extend the effective period of 50 CFR 679.50 through December 
31, 1998.
    2. Revise the 30-percent observer coverage requirement at 
Sec. 679.50(c)(1)(vi) and (vii) to clarify that required coverage is 
specific to the gear type, meaning, for example, that observer coverage 
obtained for a vessel using hook-and-line gear cannot be used to comply 
with observer coverage requirements for the same vessel when it is used 
to fish with pot gear.
    3. Expand the prohibition at Sec. 679.7(g)(1) to include sexual 
harassment and bribery as unlawful interferences with an observer.
    4. Remove the conflict-of-interest regulation at 
Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(4). The existing conflict-of-interest 
regulation at Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(3) that states that observers may 
not serve as an observer on any vessel or at any shoreside facility 
owned or operated by a person who previously employed the observers, 
fully implements the Council's recommendation at its June 1997 meeting 
to implement a less restrictive standard than the one at 
Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(4).
    5. Revise the regulation at Sec. 679.50(i)(1)(i) to indicate that 
observer contractors certified prior to January 1, 1998, and that 
provided observer services during 1997, are exempt from the requirement 
to submit an application for certification.
    6. Revise the regulation at Sec. 679.50(i)(2)(xiv)(G) to alleviate 
confusion on what information observer contractors currently are 
required to submit to NMFS. The revision clarifies that an observer 
contractor must submit a completed and unaltered copy of each type of 
signed and valid contract an observer contractor has with those 
entities required to have observer services. Furthermore, upon NMFS's 
request, an observer contractor must submit completed and unaltered 
copies of signed and valid contracts that the contractor has with 
specific entities. Required copies of contracts must be submitted by 
mail or fax. Types of signed and valid contracts include the contracts 
an observer contractor has

[[Page 67757]]

with: (a) Vessels required to have 30-percent observer coverage, (b) 
vessels required to have 100-percent observer coverage, (c) shoreside 
processors required to have 30-percent observer coverage, (d) shoreside 
processors required to have 100-percent observer coverage, or (e) 
observers (to include contracts for the various compensation or salary 
levels of observers, the levels being based on observer experience).
    7. Correct an erroneous cross-reference in the regulation at 
Sec. 679.50(j)(7)(iv).

Changes to Non-codified Elements Of The Observer Program

    Three elements of the 1997 Observer Program were not codified in 
regulation: (1) Observer qualifications, (2) observer training/briefing 
requirements, and (3) NMFS's selection criteria for observer 
contractors. NMFS's selection criteria for observer contractors remain 
unchanged. The observer contractor selection criteria were published in 
the Federal Register (61 FR 40380, August 2, 1996) and are available 
upon request (see ADDRESSES). Observer qualifications and observer 
training/briefing requirements are revised with the minor changes that 
were proposed in the preamble of the proposed rule. These non-codified 
elements will remain in effect until amended or rescinded. Although 
they will not be codified, they are viewed as a part of the rule and 
NMFS will publish a notification in the Federal Register and provide an 
opportunity for public comment prior to proposing future changes to 
these elements. The NMFS observer qualifications are as follows:
    A. Prospective observers must have a bachelor's degree or higher 
from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the 
natural sciences.
    B. Candidates must have a minimum of 30 semester hours or 
equivalent in applicable biological sciences with extensive use of 
dichotomous keys in at least one course. Candidates must also have 
successfully completed at least one undergraduate course in mathematics 
and one in statistics worth a combined total of at least 5 semester 
hours. In addition, all applicants are required to have computer skills 
that enable them to work competently with standard database software 
and computer hardware.
    C. Prospective observers are also required to complete successfully 
any screening test(s) administered by NMFS. These tests would measure 
basic mathematics, algebra, and computer skills as well as other 
abilities necessary for successful job performance.
    D. If a sufficient number of candidates meeting these educational 
prerequisites is not available, the observer contractor may seek 
approval from NMFS to substitute individuals with either a senior 
standing in an acceptable major, or with an Associate of Arts (A.A.) 
degree in fisheries, wildlife science, or an equivalent.
    E. If a sufficient number of individuals meeting the above 
qualifications is not available, the observer contractor may seek 
approval from NMFS to hire individuals with other relevant experience 
or training.
    F. To qualify for certification, all prospective observers must 
undergo safety and cold water survival training that requires the 
prospective observers to demonstrate their ability to properly put on 
an immersion suit in a specified time period, enter the water, travel 
approximately 50 m to a ladder, and climb out of the water.
    The additional mathematics, statistics, and computer skills 
requirements reflect the increased responsibilities of observers and 
are similar to the observer qualifications that would have been 
required under the Research Plan, had it been fully implemented.
    The NMFS observer training/briefing requirements are as follows:
    A. Observers who have completed a deployment must be recertified 
prior to another deployment. All observers are required to complete a 
4-day briefing prior to their first deployment in any calendar year. 
One-day briefings are required prior to subsequent deployments within a 
calendar year. Certification following 1- or 4-day briefings will 
expire after 1 month if deployment is delayed. Observers who have not 
been deployed for 18 months are required to complete a 3-week training 
course.
    B. If an observer is not deployed within 1 month after completion 
of training, the individual must complete a 1-day briefing. If the 
observer is not deployed within 3 months after training, the individual 
must complete a 4-day briefing. If the observer is not deployed within 
6 months after training, the individual must retake the full training 
course.
    C. Observers may be required to attend an additional 4-day briefing 
based upon an evaluation of data collected during their most recent 
deployment.

Response to Comments

    Comment 1. Previously certified observer contractors that have not 
been actively providing observer services should not be allowed to 
perform the duties of an observer contractor without going through the 
NMFS certification process again.
     Response. NMFS agrees. When NMFS promulgated regulations applying 
to observer contractor certification (61 FR 56425; November 1, 1996), 
the intent was that observer contractors already certified and 
providing observer services need not submit certification applications 
for 1997. NMFS clarifies this intent in this final rule and revises the 
regulation at Sec. 679.50(i)(1)(i) to indicate that observer 
contractors certified prior to January 1, 1998, and providing observer 
services during 1997, are exempt from submitting an observer contractor 
certification application. Observer contractors that were certified 
prior to January 1, 1998, but did not provide observer services during 
1997 must be recertified.
     Comment 2. NMFS should require observer contractors to be 
certified on an annual basis such that their performance in providing 
observer services can be reviewed periodically. NMFS should also 
consider limiting the number of certified observer contractors to the 
suite of contractors supplying observers in 1997.
     Response. At this time, NMFS declines making major changes to the 
observer contractor certification process because they are outside the 
scope of this rule. NMFS and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries 
Commission (PSMFC) are jointly developing an alternative observer 
program JPA that would better ensure the collection of quality observer 
data by relying on a third party organization to provide procurement 
services for required observer coverage. The observer contractor 
certification process will be considered in this JPA between NMFS and 
PSMFC as well as contractual arrangements between PSFMC and observer 
companies. NMFS believes that an annual review of the performance of 
observer contractor companies could be accommodated under this new 
infrastructure. The JPA could also include a process to determine what 
the optimum number of observer contractor companies may be. At this 
time, action by NMFS to revise the certification process would be 
premature.
     Comment 3. The Association for Professional Observers (APO) 
supports the proposed conflict-of-interest standard that states that 
observers may not serve as an observer onboard a vessel or plant where 
they were previously employed. The previous conflict-of-interest 
standard [Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(4)] was far stricter than any 
conflict-of-interest standard in

[[Page 67758]]

the United States government or for any Council member.
     Response. NMFS concurs in the APO's comment. The conflict-of-
interest standard at Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(4) has been removed. The 
less strict standard at Sec. 679.50(h)(2)(i)(A)(3) remains, providing 
that observers may not serve as observers on any vessel or at any 
shoreside facility owned or operated by a person who previously 
employed the observers.
     Comment 4. The APO supports the inclusion of sexual harassment and 
bribery as unlawful interference with the observer.
     Response. NMFS concurs and revises the regulation at 
Sec. 679.7(g)(1) accordingly.
     Comment 5. The observer coverage levels on vessels fishing with 
certain types of gear, such as pots, that experience low bycatch is 
unnecessary and costly. NMFS should not revise the 30 percent observer 
coverage requirement by quarter and by gear type unless pot gear is 
excluded.
     Response. NMFS disagrees. The revisions to observer coverage 
regulations at Sec. 679.50(c)(1)(vi) and (vii) serve only to clarify 
the original intent that the coverage is gear-specific. NMFS 
acknowledges that pot fisheries experience relatively low bycatch as 
evidenced by the gear-specific observer coverage requirements for 
catcher/processors and catcher vessels that are longer than 125 ft 
(38.1 m) length overall (LOA). Vessels fishing with pot gear are only 
required to have 30 percent observer coverage, while those using other 
gear types must have 100 percent coverage [Sec. 679.50(c)(1)(iv)].
     Comment 6. The APO understands why NMFS requires observer 
contractors to submit specified information. APO does not understand 
why certified contractors are allowed to withhold this information from 
NMFS. If observers were to withhold required information, observers 
have, and would be, decertified. How is it possible that NMFS has never 
decertified or suspended an observer contractor in the past 7 years?
     Response. NMFS does not allow observer contractors to withhold 
required information. Some observer contractors have interpreted the 
information submission regulations at Sec. 679.50(i)(2)(xiv)(G) 
differently than NMFS intended. That was the impetus for NMFS to revise 
the regulations in this final rule, thereby clarifying NMFS's intent.
    NMFS acknowledges that the current regulations governing observer 
contractor certification do not include a periodic review process to 
evaluate the ability of an observer contractor to satisfactorily 
perform their responsibilities and duties as required at 
Sec. 679.50(i)(2). If NMFS became aware of evidence that an observer 
contractor failed to perform the necessary responsibilities and duties, 
NMFS would initiate an investigation under the suspension or 
decertification procedures.
     Comment 7. The proposed requirement that observers have taken at 
least one course that used dichotomous keys extensively is ambiguous 
and subjective. The current observer requirements are too rigid and 
excessive given that observers are the most educated, yet lowest paid 
members of the fishing community.
     Response. NMFS disagrees. When NMFS reviews observer candidates' 
transcripts, a course that used dichotomous keys extensively would be 
evidenced by a course in biological taxonomy or in a course description 
as provided with the transcript. NMFS observer training staff have 
noted that observer candidates with coursework in dichotomous keys are 
more successful in the portions of the observer training course where 
fish dichotomous keys are used.
     Comment 8. The proposed changes that would increase the number of 
briefing days also increases the number of days that observers are not 
paid for their work. Until observers are paid a decent wage, the number 
of required briefing days should not be increased.
     Response. NMFS disagrees. Although the proposed number of observer 
briefing days required in a 12-month period would increase from 2 to 4 
under this rule, the number of observer briefing days required for 
subsequent deployments within a calendar year would decrease from 2 to 
1. The total number of briefing days would be 4 for the first trip plus 
1 for each subsequent deployment, compared to 2 briefing days for each 
trip as is currently required. The net change in annual number of 
observer briefing days is anticipated to be minimal. For instance, many 
observers are deployed twice per year. Under this final rule, they 
would be required to have 5 briefing days, as compared to 4 briefing 
days under the previous requirements. If an observer is deployed three 
times per year, the total number of briefing days would not change. 
NMFS believes any additional briefing days and the associated cost are 
warranted given the changes to observer sampling requirements and 
procedures that necessitate additional observer briefing time. NMFS 
does not anticipate that the training base for observers will change 
significantly in the near future such that the additional briefing days 
would not be necessary. The majority of the current observer contractor 
companies do compensate observers to some extent for briefing days.
     Comment 9. Currently, if observers have not been deployed for a 2-
year period, they must repeat the complete 3-week training course prior 
to being deployed. NMFS has proposed that this time period be reduced 
to 18 months. The APO opposes this revised requirement and believes 
that the 4-day briefing requirement for an observer who has not worked 
recently as an observer is sufficient. APO opposes any increased 
provisions affecting the observer until NMFS overhauls the structure of 
the observer program. If observers are required to go through training 
after 18 months of not observing, this amounts to more volunteer work 
on the part of the observer as most companies do not compensate the 
observer during training.
     Response. NMFS disagrees. New and future programs (e.g., observer 
electronic reporting and multispecies CDQ, respectively) will continue 
to create additional training requirements for observers, therefore 
necessitating additional training time. Given these circumstances, NMFS 
can no longer assure the best quality observer data possible if some 
observers are not adequately trained in new sampling techniques and 
procedures. NMFS believes this change in requirements will affect only 
a relatively low number of observers. The best available information 
indicates that approximately 5 percent of observers trained and briefed 
in 1996 and 1997 had not been deployed during the prior 18-month 
period. The majority of the current observer contractor companies do 
compensate observers to some extent for training days. Nonetheless, 
NMFS believes modified training and briefing requirements are necessary 
to address data quality concerns.

Classification

    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of E.O. 12866.
    The changes occurring through this regulatory action are largely 
within the scope of issues thoroughly analyzed in the EA/RIR/FRFA for 
the 1997 Interim Groundfish Observer Program (61 FR 56425, November 1, 
1996). A copy is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). That EA/RIR/FRFA 
supplements the EA/RIR/FRFA prepared for this action.
    NMFS prepared an FRFA, which consists of the EA/RIR/FRFA and the 
preambles to the proposed and final rule

[[Page 67759]]

implementing this action. Based on the analysis, it was determined that 
this rule could have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. A copy of this analysis is available from 
NMFS (see ADDRESSES). Observer costs borne by vessels and processors 
are based on whether an observer is aboard a vessel and on overall 
coverage needs. Higher costs are borne by those vessels and shoreside 
processors that require higher levels of coverage.  Most of the catcher 
vessels participating in the groundfish fisheries off Alaska and 
required to carry observers (i.e., vessels 60 ft (18.3 mt) LOA and 
longer) meet the definition of a small entity under the Regulatory 
Flexibilility Act. In 1995, about 270 catcher vessels carried 
observers. The FRFA prepared for the 1997 Interim Groundfish Observer 
Program describes the degree to which these catcher vessels would be 
economically impacted by observer coverage levels. Because this rule 
would not implement any changes in required observer coverage levels 
and the underlying socioeconomic status of the fishery has remained 
stable, the basic observer coverage requirements are not expected to 
result in any economic impacts beyond those already analyzed.
    Several minor changes are implemented for 1998 under this rule. 
First, an observer conflict-of-interest regulation would be removed, 
thereby potentially creating increased employment opportunities for 
observers. Five observer contractors are likely to be affected by this 
rule. All are considered small entities, and none are likely to 
experience significant economic impacts. Given that observers are 
employees of observer contractors, this change could increase the 
economic benefits realized by observer contractors.
    Second, although the number of observer briefing days required in a 
12-month period would increase from 2 to 4, the number of observer 
briefing days required for subsequent deployments within a calendar 
year would decrease from 2 to 1. The net change in number of observer 
briefing days is anticipated to be minimal. The briefing day costs 
(lodging, per diem) are approximately $135-200 per day and are 
dependent on the briefing location (Alaska or Washington). The cost is 
borne by either the observer or the observer contractor and is 
dependent upon the specific employment arrangements between these 
entities. The briefing day costs are typically passed on from the 
observer or the observer contractor to the vessel or processor that is 
required to have the observer coverage. In 1996, 384 observers 
(employed by five observer contractors) were briefed for the North 
Pacific groundfish fisheries.
    Third, additional training days will be required of observers that 
have not been deployed for 18 months. Previously, these observers were 
required to attend a 4-day briefing. This rule will require they attend 
a 3-week training course (15 working days). NMFS believes this change 
in requirements will affect only a relatively low number of observers. 
The best available information, through October 1997, indicates that 
approximately 5 percent of observers trained or briefed in 1996 and 
1997 had not been deployed during the past 18-month period. From 
January 1996 through October 1997, 1,010 observers were trained or 
briefed. The majority of the current observer contractor companies do 
compensate observers to some extent for briefing/training days.
    Alternatives that addressed modifying reporting requirements for 
small entities or the use of performance rather than design standards 
for small entities were not considered by the Council or in this 
analysis. Such alternatives are not relevant to this action and would 
not mitigate the impacts on small entities. Allowing exemptions for 
small entities from this proposed action would not be appropriate 
because the objective to assure uninterrupted and comprehensive 
observer coverage requirements through 1998 could not be achieved if 
small entities were exempted.
    However, this action does include measures that will minimize the 
significant economic impacts of observer coverage requirements on at 
lease some small entities. Vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA are not 
required to carry an observer while fishing for groundfish. Similarly, 
vessels between 60 ft (18.3 m) and 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA have lower 
levels of observer coverage than those for vessels over 125 ft (38.1 m) 
LOA. These measures, which have been incorporated into the requirements 
of the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program since its inception in 
1989, effectively mitigate the economic impacts on some small entities 
without adversely affecting implementation of the conservation and 
management responsibilities imposed by the FMPs and the Magnuson-
Stevens Act.
    The EA/RIR/FRFA prepared for the 1997 Interim Groundfish Observer 
Program (61 FR 56425, November 1, 1996) included the North Pacific 
Fisheries Research Plan (Research Plan) as an alternative. However, the 
Research Plan is no longer a viable alternative to the proposed interim 
observer program. The political and economic concerns that led the 
Council to repeal the Research Plan still exist. Furthermore, fees 
collected in 1995 were refunded in early 1996 and, if the Research Plan 
were pursued as the preferred alternative, start-up funding would have 
to be collected again. Regulations implementing the existing observer 
program will expire at the end of 1997. It is not feasible to implement 
a fee-based observer program by the end of this year, which would be 
necessary to provide observer coverage for the 1998 groundfish 
fisheries. The preferred alternative for an interim observer program is 
the only option that could be implemented by 1998 so that the 
groundfish fisheries could commence without interruption. Since the 
repeal of the Research Plan and at the direction of the Council, NMFS 
has been developing a long-term alternative program structure to 
address the problems identified with the current observer program 
structure. The Council is scheduled to take final action at its 
February 1998 meeting.
    The proposed rule to implement regulatory changes to the Interim 
Groundfish Observer Program was published in the Federal Register on 
September 19, 1997 (62 FR 49198) and comments were invited on the IFRA. 
No comments were received on the IRFA.
    This rule contains a revised collection-of-information requirement 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This collection-of-
information requirement has been approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0648-0318. The estimated 
current burden for submission of observer contractor information is 15 
minutes. The proposed rule requested public comment on this revised 
collection-of-information requirement. No comments were received from 
OMB or the public.
    Public comment is sought regarding: Whether this collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; 
the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information, including through 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology. (See ADDRESSES.)
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection-of-information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless

[[Page 67760]]

that collection- of-information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.
    Observer coverage provides quality data to monitor the fisheries, 
support resource management, and monitor compliance by vessels and 
shoreside processors with Federal fisheries regulations. Therefore, 
continuation of uninterrupted observer coverage requirements as 
intended by NMFS and the Council is essential to the conservation and 
management of the fisheries. In addition, insofar as the requirements 
of this observer program remain largely unchanged from those in effect 
during 1997, the affected public should be familiar with these 
requirements and should not need additional time to prepare for their 
renewed effectiveness at the beginning of the 1998 fisheries. 
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, the Assistant 
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA finds for good cause namely, it is 
unnecessary and contrary to the public interest to delay the 
effectiveness of this rule for 30 days. In order to have no lapse in 
coverage, this rule is effective on January 1, 1998.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679

    Alaska, Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: December 22, 1997.
David L. Evans,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 679 is amended 
as follows:

PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA

    1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 679 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., 1801 et seq., and 3631 et seq.

    2. In Sec. 679.7, paragraph (g)(1) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 679.7   Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) Forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, sexually 
harass, bribe, or interfere with an observer.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 679.50, paragraph (h)(2)(i)(A)(4) is removed, paragraph 
(h)(2)(i)(A)(5) is redesignated as paragraph (h)(2)(i)(A)(4) and the 
section heading, paragraphs (c)(1)(vi) and (vii), (i)(1)(i) and (iii), 
introductory text of (i)(2)(xiv), (i)(2)(xiv)(G), and (j)(7)(iv) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec. 679.50  Groundfish Observer Program applicable through December 
31, 1998.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (vi) A catcher/processor or catcher vessel fishing with hook-and-
line gear that is required to carry an observer under paragraph 
(c)(1)(v) of this section must carry an observer during at least one 
entire fishing trip using hook-and-line gear in the Eastern Regulatory 
Area of the GOA during each calendar quarter in which the vessel 
participates in a directed fishery for groundfish in the Eastern 
Regulatory Area using hook-and-line gear.
    (vii) A catcher/processor or catcher vessel equal to or greater 
than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA fishing with pot gear that participates for 
more than 3 fishing days in a directed fishery for groundfish in a 
calendar quarter must carry an observer during at least 30 percent of 
its fishing days while using pot gear in that calendar quarter and 
during at least one entire fishing trip using pot gear in a calendar 
quarter for each of the groundfish fishery categories defined under 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section in which the vessel participates.
* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Application. An applicant seeking to become an observer 
contractor must submit an application to the Regional Administrator 
describing the applicant's ability to carry out the responsibilities 
and duties of an observer contractor as set out in paragraph (i)(2) of 
this section and the arrangements and methods to be used. Observer 
contractors certified prior to January 1, 1998, and that have provided 
observer services during 1997, are exempt from this requirement to 
submit an application and are certified for the term specified in 
paragraph (i)(1)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) * * *
    (iii) Term. Observer contractors will be certified through December 
31, 1998. Observer contractors can be decertified or suspended by NMFS 
under paragraph (j) of this section.
    (2) * * *
    (xiv) Providing the following information to the Observer Program 
Office by electronic transmission (e-mail), fax, or other method 
specified by NMFS.
* * * * *
    (G) A completed and unaltered copy of each type of signed and valid 
contract (including all attachments, appendices, addendums, and 
exhibits incorporated into the contract) an observer contractor has 
with those entities requiring observer services under paragraphs (c) 
and (d) of this section and with observers. Completed and unaltered 
copies of signed and valid contracts with specific entities requiring 
observer services or with specific observers must be submitted to the 
Observer Program Office upon request. Types of signed and valid 
contracts include the contracts an observer contractor has with:
    (1) Vessels required to have observer coverage as specified at 
paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (iv) of this section,
    (2) Vessels required to have observer coverage as specified at 
paragraphs (c)(1)(ii), (v), and (vii) of this section,
    (3) Shoreside processors required to have observer coverage as 
specified at paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section,
    (4) Shoreside processors required to have observer coverage as 
specified at paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section,
    (5) Observers (to include contracts for the various compensation or 
salary levels of observers, the levels being based on observer 
experience).
    (6) Required copies of contracts must be submitted by mail or faxed 
to: NMFS Observer Program Office, 7600 Sandpoint Way Northeast, 
Seattle, WA 98115-0070; fax number 206-526-4066.
* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (7) * * *
    (iv) If the appeals officer grants review based on the written 
petition, he or she may request further written explanation from 
observers, observer contractors, or the decertifying officer or 
suspending officer. The appeals officer will then render a written 
decision to affirm, modify, or terminate the suspension or 
decertification or return the matter to the suspending or decertifying 
official for further findings. The appeals officer must base the 
decision on the administrative records compiled under paragraphs (j)(5) 
or (j)(6) of this section, as appropriate. The appeals officer will 
serve the decision on observers or observer contractors and any 
affiliates involved, personally or by certified mail, return receipt 
requested, at the last known residence or place of business.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 97-33892 Filed 12-29-97; 8:45 AM]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F