At-Sea Hake Observer Program (Northwest)

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement for the At-sea Hake Observer Program
Information collected through the observer program is used to: (1) monitor catch and bycatch;
(2) understand the population status and trends of fish stocks and protected species, as well as the
interactions between them; (3) determine the quantity and distribution of net benefits derived
from living marine resources; (4) predict the biological, ecological, and economic impacts of
existing management actions and proposed management options; and (5) ensure that the observer
programs can safely and efficiently collect the information required for the previous four uses.
In particular, these biological and economic data collection programs contribute to legally
mandated analyses required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (MSA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Marine Mammal Protection
Act (MMPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(RFA), Executive Order 12866 (EO 12866), and other applicable law.
Most of the information collected by observers is obtained through “direct observation by an
employee or agent of the sponsoring agency or through non-standardized oral communication in
connection with such direct observations". Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
regulations at 5 C.F.R. 1320.3(h)(3), facts or opinions obtained through such observations and
communications are not considered to be "information" subject to the PRA. The public reporting
burden for responding to the questions that observers ask and that are subject to the PRA is
estimated to average 20 minutes per trip, including the time for hearing and understanding the
questions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing
this burden, to: At-sea Hake Observer Program, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112.
Providing information related to observer and vessel safety is mandatory under regulations at 50
C.F.R. 600.746. However, all other requested information is voluntary. Although you are under
no legal obligation to answer non-safety related observer questions, we would appreciate your
support as it ensures observer data can be used for its intended purpose.
The information collected will be kept confidential as required under Section 402(b) of the MSA
(18 U.S.C. 1881a(b)) and regulations at 50 C.F.R. Part 600, Subpart E. 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
Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
Control Number.
OMB Control No. 0648-xxxx
Expires xx/xx/2012