[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31527-31528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14518]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Observer 
Program

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 September 4, 
2018.

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 Alicia Miller at (907) 586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    The North Pacific Observer Program (Observer Program) is 
implemented under the authority of section 313 of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act and regulations at 50 CFR 679. 
Through the Observer Program, the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) collects the data necessary to conserve and manage the 
groundfish and halibut fisheries off Alaska. Observers collect 
biological samples and fishery-dependent information used to estimate 
total catch and interactions with protected species. Managers use data 
collected by observers to manage groundfish and prohibited species 
catch within established limits and to document and reduce fishery 
interactions with protected resources. Scientists use observer data to 
assess fish stocks, to provide scientific information for fisheries and 
ecosystem research and fishing fleet behavior, to assess marine mammal 
interactions with fishing gear, and to assess fishing interactions with 
habitat.
    All vessels and processors that participate in federally managed or 
parallel groundfish and halibut fisheries off Alaska are assigned to 
one of two categories: (1) The full observer coverage category, where 
vessels and processors obtain observer coverage by contracting directly 
with observer providers; or (2) the partial coverage category, where 
NMFS, in consultation with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
determines when and where observer coverage is needed. Some vessels and 
processors may be in full coverage for part of the year and partial 
coverage at other times of the year depending on the observer coverage 
requirements for specific fisheries. Funds for deploying observers on 
vessels in the partial coverage category are provided through a system 
of fees based on the gross ex-vessel value of retained groundfish and 
halibut. This observer fee is assessed on all landings by vessels that 
are not otherwise in full coverage. Information collected for the 
observer fee is approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0711.

II. Method of Collection

    Methods of submittal include online web applications, email, email 
attachments, verbal communication by telephone or in person, and on 
paper by mail or fax. The Observer Declare and Deploy System (ODDS) is 
an internet-based interface that is used by vessel owners and operators 
in the partial coverage category. ODDS is available online at https://chum.afsc.noaa.gov:7104/apex/f?p=140:1 or by phone at 1-855-747-6377. 
Copies of observer coverage category request forms are available on the 
NMFS Alaska Region website at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0318.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 769.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes to request full observer 
coverage, placement in or removed from the Electronic Monitoring (EM) 
selection pool, close an EM trip in ODDS, pre-cruise meeting 
notification,

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physical examination verification, update to provider information; 15 
minutes to log a fishing trip in ODDS; 48 hours for a Vessel Monitoring 
Plan; 1 hour to submit EM data, and observer training registration; 30 
minutes for request small catcher/processor placement in partial 
coverage category; 4 hours for appeals; 2 minutes to notify observer 
before handling the vessel's Bering Sea pollock catch; 8 hours for 
candidates' college transcripts and statements; 7 minutes for observer 
briefing registration, projected observer assignments, and observer 
deployment and logistics reports; 30 minutes for observer debriefing 
registration, observer provider contracts, invoice copies, and industry 
request for assistance; 12 minutes for certificates of insurance; 2 
hours for other reports; 60 hours for observer provider permit 
application.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10,501 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,658 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: July 2, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-14518 Filed 7-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P