FR 2025-05485

The document from the Federal Register outlines a request for public comments by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) about their information collection process for the West Coast Region Groundfish Trawl Logbook. NOAA seeks feedback as part of a broader effort to consolidate the data collection process from separate trawl and non-trawl logbooks into a single system. This initiative aims to streamline fisheries management and improve the quality of data collected.

General Summary

The NOAA's proposal involves a revision and extension of the current information collection related to groundfish fisheries. The goal is to gather comprehensive data from fishermen who are required to maintain logbooks of their activities, including details such as time, location, gear used, and the amount of fish caught. This information is crucial for effective fisheries management. The public comment period, which allows individuals and organizations to express their views or concerns about this proposal, will end on May 30, 2025.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are several notable issues within the document:

• Lack of Specifics on Cost Savings: The document does not clarify the expected cost savings or efficiency gains from merging the two logbook systems. This detail could provide valuable insight into potential reductions in wasteful spending.

• Absence of Alternative Methods: While the document discusses electronic and paper options for data collection, it does not explore more advanced technologies that might reduce the burden on respondents, such as automated data collection techniques.

• Transparency on Public Costs: Although it states that the annual cost to the public is $0, an explanation of why there are no costs would improve transparency and help the public understand the financial structure behind this initiative.

• Technical Jargon Usage: The document includes technical terms like "OMB Control Number" and "ICR," which may be unfamiliar to some readers, potentially limiting understanding.

• Clarity in Public Information Process: While it warns that comments might be publicly available, it does not explain how or why certain information will be made public, which could clarify expectations for those submitting feedback.

Broad Public Impact

This proposal could impact the general public by potentially improving fisheries management, thus ensuring sustainable fish populations and the continued health of marine ecosystems. For respondents—primarily those in the fishing industry—there might be changes in how they log and submit their data, potentially increasing their administrative work even as NOAA aims to reduce this burden.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For business and other for-profit organizations involved in the fishing industry, the changes may lead to shifts in reporting practices. If successfully implemented, the unified logbook system might reduce duplicative work and streamline operations. However, the success of these changes depends on clear communication and support from NOAA to ensure compliance without adding undue burden.

Overall, while NOAA's initiative has the potential to improve fisheries management and data quality, the document could benefit from addressing the aforementioned issues to ensure transparency and efficacy in its goals.

In the reviewed document, the financial reference indicates that there is an estimated total annual cost of $0 to the public for the information collection activities associated with the West Coast Region Groundfish Trawl Logbook. This point suggests that the financial burden of this data collection on businesses or other organizations is effectively non-existent or negligible.

The declaration of zero financial cost is intended to reassure stakeholders about the lack of additional expenses tied to this data collection initiative. However, the document does not provide any detailed explanation or justification for why the cost is considered to be zero. Understanding why no costs are incurred could contribute to transparency and could help in making the internal processes, assumptions, and financial calculations more understandable to the public, especially for those who are not intimately familiar with government documentation or procedures.

The mention of $0 cost is especially relevant to one of the identified issues. While the document presents this cost detail, it falls short of explaining how this cost figure was determined. The lack of an explanation prevents stakeholders from fully understanding the cost structure and whether there are indeed no hidden or indirect costs they might incur. Furthermore, clarity in financial documentation assists in evaluating efficiency and potential areas for cost savings.

Moreover, another issue highlighted in the document relates to the potential for further reducing the time burden on respondents by adopting more advanced automated techniques. While having no direct cost to the public is beneficial, a detailed understanding of the cost dynamics could offer insight into whether there could be further efficiencies or cost-saving opportunities by exploring alternative data collection technologies. This aspect refers to the need to assess possible improvements or optimizations that may come with exploring other methods beyond the current ones stated.

In conclusion, the mention of a zero-cost provision should be accompanied by a comprehensive explanation to ensure stakeholders have a clear understanding of the financial implications—or lack thereof—of the proposed information collection activities. Addressing this could not only enhance transparency but also bolster confidence in the processes that underlie government data collection initiatives.