Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Greater Atlantic Region Logbook Family of Forms
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) wants to know what people think about their plan to collect information from fishers to help take care of fish in the ocean. They're asking for comments by May 19, 2025, to help make sure the process is easy and fair for everyone.
Summary AI
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public comments on its information collection activities as part of efforts to manage fishery resources along the U.S. East Coast. This request is in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and focuses on extending the use of vessel logbooks, also known as Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs), to gather data crucial for monitoring and regulating fisheries. Public comments are invited by May 19, 2025, to help improve and assess the information collection process, which aims to reduce the reporting burden and facilitate effective fishery management.
Abstract
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.
Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
The document is a formal request from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce, to gather public comments on its information collection activities related to fishery management along the U.S. East Coast. This action is occurring in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to minimize the burden of data collection on the public. NOAA seeks to extend the use of vessel logbooks, or Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs), as tools to collect critical data for fishery regulation and management. The public is invited to submit comments by May 19, 2025, to assist in evaluating the efficacy and necessity of these collections.
Summary of Document
The document emphasizes the importance of using vessel logbooks to collect data that support the sustainable management of marine fishery resources. These are crucial for preventing overfishing and optimizing the yield from different fisheries. This data is invaluable not only for NOAA but also for the New England Fishery Management Council, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and other fishery management authorities. The goal is to gather insights from the public on how to improve data collection methods to enhance information quality while reducing the public's reporting burden.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A notable concern with the document is the lack of clarity regarding the absence of estimated total annual costs to the public despite the significant number of burden hours reported (17,154 hours annually). This may imply some undiscussed financial impacts on respondents. Additionally, while the document mentions the use of automated collection techniques to reduce respondent burden, it lacks detailed descriptions of these techniques, potentially leaving respondents unsure of what efficiencies, if any, have been built into the process.
Furthermore, the document does not adequately explain the reasons behind varying estimated times for completing Vessel Trip Reports, which may hint at inefficiencies or complexities within the reporting process. Lastly, there is some concern regarding privacy, as the instructions provided regarding the protection of personal information upon submission could be clearer.
Impact on the Public
The document's outcome could have significant implications for the public, particularly those involved in the fishing industry. While the goal is to streamline data collection and reduce the burden on individuals and businesses, unclear areas, such as potential hidden costs and privacy concerns, could unintentionally affect how the public perceives and interacts with the process.
Impact on Stakeholders
For stakeholders such as fishermen and businesses operating in the fisheries sector, the document primarily aims to support sustainable practices, which are essential for long-term industry health. However, the mandatory nature of these reports and the time involved in completing them could add operational challenges. On the positive side, improved data collection processes may lead to better fishery management, potentially increasing regulatory compliance efficiency and benefiting the industry economically.
Overall, while the document underscores the importance of collecting data for effective fishery management, it could be improved by addressing concerns about costs, privacy, and the specific requirements for varying vessel operation types. Providing greater transparency and clarity could help foster public trust and cooperation in the data collection process.
Issues
• The document does not explain why there is no estimated total annual cost to the public, even though there are 17,154 burden hours, which might imply some hidden costs.
• The document does not provide detailed information on how the mandatory reporting burden on respondents is minimized, specifically through automated collection techniques, despite mentioning them.
• The instructions on withholding personal information could be clearer about the extent to which personal information is protected after submission.
• Some language is slightly complex, such as in the abstract, which might be simplified for better understanding by the general public.
• The document does not specify why certain vessels have different estimated times for completing Vessel Trip Reports, which could suggest potential inefficiencies or complexities in the process that are not addressed.