[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25249-25250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07626]


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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; North Pacific Observer Safety and Security Survey

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 June 10, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0759 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 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 an extension and revision of an existing 
information collection. The revision to the survey instrument will 
allow the survey participants to specify to whom they reported unwanted 
behavior. NMFS certified observers are a vital part of fisheries 
management. Observers deploy 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 the observer finds themselves a 
target for victim type violations such as sexual harassment, 
intimidation, or even assault. The NOAA Fisheries Office of Law 
Enforcement has primary jurisdiction to investigate violations of the 
Magnuson Stevens Act. The Office of Law Enforcement prioritizes 
investigations initiated from reports made by observers involving 
assault, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, intimidation, and 
other behaviors that may affect observers individually.
    However, it is difficult for a person to disclose if they have been 
a victim of a crime, and if law enforcement does not receive reports of 
unwanted behavior then they cannot initiate an investigation. 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 the 
Office of Law Enforcement.
    The Office of law Enforcement, Alaska Division, is conducting a 
survey of observer who deploy under the North Pacific Observer Program 
to determine the true number of observers who experienced victimizing 
behavior during their deployments, and what factors prevented them from 
reporting. Twenty questions, describing varying levels of behavior that 
may violate the Magnuson Act, will determine if an observer has 
experienced the behavior, if they reported the behavior, and to whom 
the report was made. The survey will assess the specific impediments to 
disclosure. This survey will launch on an annual basis. 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

[[Page 25250]]

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 the North Pacific Observer Program annually, starting 
in 2025. Individual data will not be released for public use.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0759.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission [extension and revision of a 
current information collection].
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    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 and 
reporting costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Magnuson Stevens Act.

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. 2024-07626 Filed 4-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P