[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 177 (Thursday, September 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43221-43222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19507]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; North Pacific 
Observer Safety and Security Survey

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 13, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Special Agent Jaclyn Smith, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law 
Enforcement, 222 W. 7th Ave., #10, Anchorage, AK 99513, (907) 271-1869 
or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection.
    NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) certified observers 
are a vital part of fisheries management. Observers are deployed to 
collect fisheries data in the field; observers often deploy to vessels 
and work alongside fishers for weeks and months at a time. The work 
environment observers find themselves in can be challenging, especially 
if observers find themselves a target for victim type violations such 
as sexual harassment, intimidation, or even assault. NOAA Fisheries' 
Office of Law Enforcement prioritizes investigations into allegations 
of sexual harassment, hostile work environment, assault and other 
complaints, which may affect observers individually. However, it is 
difficult for a person to disclose if they have been a victim of a 
crime, and law enforcement cannot respond if no complaint is submitted. 
The true number of observers who have experienced victim type crimes is 
unknown, and the reasons why they do not report is also unclear. More 
information is needed to understand how many observers per year 
experience victim type crimes, and why they chose not to report to law 
enforcement.
    The Office of Law Enforcement, Alaska Division, is conducting a 
survey of North Pacific Observers to determine the number of observers 
who experienced victimizing behavior during deployments in 2016 and 
2017. The survey will also investigate the reasons that prevented 
observers from

[[Page 43222]]

reporting these violations. The results of the survey will provide the 
Office of Law Enforcement a better understanding of how often observers 
are victimized, which will enable them to reallocate resources as 
needed, conduct more training for observers to ensure they know how to 
report, conduct training to ensure people understand what constitutes a 
victim crime, and to increase awareness of potential victimizations. 
Additionally, the survey results will help law enforcement understand 
the barriers to disclosure, so enforcement may begin to address these 
impediments so they no longer prevent observers from disclosure.

II. Method of Collection

    Data will be collected on a voluntary basis, via an electronic 
survey to ensure anonymity. The survey will be offered to all observers 
who deployed in 2016 and 2017 in the North Pacific Observer Program. 
Individual data will not be released for public use.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (request for a new information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: September 11, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-19507 Filed 9-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P