Justification for Change

JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE

OBSERVER PROGRAMS’ INFORMATION THAT CAN BE GATHERED ONLY THROUGH QUESTIONS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0593

The purpose of this request is to add forms that were inadvertently omitted from the West Coast Groundfish Observer Program (WCGOP) information collection. The requested burden for this information collection covers the time for completion of the forms, but the forms were not included in those posted in the OMB’s ROCIS website.

Forms that have now been added (all considered self-explanatory except #2):

1. Biospecimen Form: observers collect data on individual samples collected from the vessel's catch (for a variety of reasons: identification, collecting otoliths (ear bones) for aging, scale samples, stock assessments, stomach content analysis, etc.). The reason for discard is provided by the captain or crew, as well as the tag number, in case this is turned in by them rather than by the observer.

2. Catch Shares Fixed Gear Catch Form

3. Catch Shares Trawl and Prawn Catch Form

4. Shrimp Bycatch Reduction Device Data

5. Trip Discard Form

6. Hook and Line Fleet Characterization Form

The burden for each observed trip, which includes all forms, was covered in the previous submission.

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