The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is conducting a public webinar to discuss the development of review and sampling procedures for third party EM service providers and seeks participation from interested parties. The webinar will be held Friday, September 27, 2019 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT.
Background
On June 19, 2019 NMFS approved a final rule to implement an EM Regulatory Amendment to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. This final rule allows catcher vessels in the Pacific whiting fishery and fixed gear vessels in the shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fishery to use EM in place of observers to meet the requirements of the Trawl Rationalization Program for 100-percent at-sea observer coverage. NMFS is developing a second proposed rule that would expand the EM program to bottom trawl and non-whiting midwater trawl vessels in the IFQ fishery. The new measures will take effect in 2021.
As part of the implementation process for the regulatory amendment, NMFS is developing a program manual in collaboration with stakeholders to inform EM service providers of the procedures used to review EM data submitted by EM vessels. Under Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs), EM data are reviewed 100-percent, but under the new measures, lower review rates may be appropriate to audit self-reported logbooks.
NMFS has developed draft protocols on review rates and will be presenting this proposal at the webinar.
To Join the GoToMeeting
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone on September 27th by 11:00 AM:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/759231645
You can also dial in using your phone: +1 (872) 240-3212, Access Code: 759-231-645
