[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6098-6099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01926]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; An Observer Program for At Sea Processing Vessels in the 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

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

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before April 1, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0500 in the subject line of your 
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise 
sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Matt Dunlap, Fishery Policy Analyst, West Coast Regional Office, 
7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, (206) 526-6119, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    In 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) mandated 
observer requirements for the West Coast groundfish trawl catch shares 
program. For all fishery sectors, observers must be obtained through 
third-party observer provider companies operating under permits issued 
by NMFS. The regulations at Sec. Sec.  660.140 (h), 660.150 (j), and 
660.160 (g), specify observer coverage requirements for trawl vessels 
and define the responsibilities for observer providers, including 
reporting requirements. Regulations at Sec.  660.140 (i) specify 
requirements for catch monitor coverage for first receivers. Data 
collected by observers are used by NMFS to estimate total landed catch 
and discards, monitor the attainment of annual groundfish allocations, 
estimate catch rates of prohibited species, and as a component in stock 
assessments. These data are necessary to comply with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act requirements to prevent overfishing. In addition, observer 
data is used to assess fishing related mortality of protected and 
endangered species.

II. Method of Collection

    This collection utilizes both electronic and paper forms, depending 
on the specific item. Methods of submittal include email of electronic 
forms, and mail and facsimile transmission of paper forms. 
Additionally, this collection utilizes interviews for some information 
collection and phone calls for transmission of other information.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0500.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 268 (5 providers (supplying a 
total of 75 observers or catch monitors) and 263 fishing vessels).
    Estimated Time per Response: For providers: 15 minutes for observer 
training/briefing/debriefing registration, notification of observer 
physical examination, observer status reports, other reports on 
observer harassment, safety concerns, or performance problems, catch 
monitor status reports, and other catch monitor reports on harassment, 
prohibited actions, illness or injury, or performance problems; 5 
minutes for observer safety checklist submission to NMFS, observer 
provider contracts, observer information materials, catch monitor 
provider contracts, and catch monitor informational materials; 10 
minutes for certificate of insurance; 7 minutes for catch monitor 
training/briefing registration, notification of catch monitor physical 
examination, and catch monitor debriefing registration. For vessels: 10 
minutes for fishing departure reports and cease-fishing reports.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 525 (305 for providers and 220 
for fishing vessels.

[[Page 6099]]

    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in capital costs as it is 
assumed that each of the 5 observer/catch monitor providers will 
maintain a computer system with email capacity for general business 
purposes and each vessel owner/operator has access to a telephone for 
toll-free calls.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: The regulations at Sec. Sec.  660.140 (h), 660.150 
(j), and 660.160 (g), specify observer coverage requirements for trawl 
vessels and define the responsibilities for observer providers, 
including reporting requirements. Regulations at Sec.  660.140 (i) 
specify requirements for catch monitor coverage for first receivers.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-01926 Filed 1-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P