Data release form

01/01/07

TRIP DATA RELEASE FORM
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: The information provided on this form will be used
to ensure that the data fora specific trip is not provided to a person who does not have authority to obtain
that data under the confidentiality requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (MSA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Meeting those confidentiaity
requirements is critical for collectin information that is used in analyses that support the conservation and
management of living marine resources and that are required under the MSA, the Endangered Species Act
(ESA), the MMPA, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),
Executive Order 12866 (EO 12866), and other applicable law. The public reporting burden for this form
is estimated to average 2 minutes per response, including the time for completing, reviewing, and transmiting the information on the form. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden to: Amy Van Atten, National
Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Northeast Fisheries Observer Program,
166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543-2266. Providing the requested information is required to
deliver the copy of the trip to the requested location and to release the trip data. The information on this
form 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. This is an approved information collection
under OMB Control No. 0648-xxx through xx/xx/2012.
POLICY FOR DATA REQUESTS OF NMFS OBSERVER-OBTAINED INFORMATION
1)

The only individuals who may request and receive data include: the owner(s), or the captain
acting as an authorized representative for the owner(s), or a vessel participating in the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Observer Program. No other individuals may be issued any
data under this policy.

2)

Any data request must be submitted in writing on a form letter which may be obtained from a
NMFS Observer, or the address below. Two signatures are required on this letter: that of the
individual requesting the data, and that of the individual releasing the data. All letters must then
be returned to the following address:
Chief, Fisheries Sampling Branch
National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Fisheries Science Center
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1097

Any questions or other requests relating to data release should also be directed to the above address.
3)

It should be understood that upon release of the requested data, the recipient then becomes
responsible for it.

4)

The individual signing the letter as the “releasor” must issue the information in compliance with
this policy.

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5)

Data may not be released upon an oral request, or without first completing and signing the
authorized release letter mentioned above.

6)

Field diaries do not meet the specifications of releasable data under the policy. No field diaries
may be copied for, or reviewed by, vessel owners or captains.

7)

Release of data for trips in which more than 1 vessel participated (i.e. pair trawl trips) may only
occur if both vessel owners or captains complete and sign data release letters.

8)

Any requests for historical data (i.e. data that an observer has already mailed in) should be
forwarded to the address above.

9)

All letters should be completed in pen, not pencil.

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June 19, 2009
OMB Control No.: 0648-xxxx
Expiration Date: xx/xx/2012

Northeast Fisheries Observer Program Confidentiality Waiver Form

I, ________________________________, owner or authorized representative of the

fishing vessel, _____________________________, CG Documentation #______________,
submit this form under Section 402(b) (1) (F) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1881a(b) (1) (F), to authorize the release of observer
information collected for fishery conservation and management purposes aboard the
aforementioned vessel to:
___________________________________
____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

Observer Data Waiver Period:

______________________________________

Comments:

_______________________________________
________________________________________

_____________________________________
Owner/Authorized Representative Signature
Please return to:
Amy Van Atten, Branch Chief
Fisheries Sampling Branch
NOAA Fisheries
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543

________________________
Date Signed