NOAA Fisheries announces that, in fishing year 2023, the audit model electronic monitoring (EM) video footage review rate will be calculated for each active EM vessel based on each vessel’s performance in 2022. The minimum possible EM video footage review rate will be 35 percent of sector trips for audit model vessels and vessels will receive the lowest video review rate necessary to result in unbiased discard estimates. The EM video footage review rate remains at 50 percent for all maximized retention EM vessels in fishing year 2023.
Vessels that are new to EM will have a 50-percent video footage review rate in 2023 to allow more opportunities for feedback on their catch handling and reporting performance.
Congress has allocated funds which allow us to reimburse industry for the at-sea costs associated with sector monitoring programs. This includes human at-sea monitors and EM, including the costs to purchase and install an EM system and review of video footage. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will continue to administer the reimbursement program for Fishing Year 2023.
For more information, please read our letter to the New England Fishery Management Council.
