IB 99-71: NMFS Requests Multi-Species CDQ Participants to Work With Observer Procurement Contractors to Ensure Adequate Observer Coverage

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is requesting that industry participants in the Multi-Species Community Development Quota (MS CDQ) program coordinate with observer contracting companies well in advance of anticipated MS CDQ observer needs to ensure provision of observer coverage, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

Observer data are a critical aspect of the MS CDQ catch accounting, and specified observer coverage is a requirement for industry participation in MS CDQ fisheries. Although, over 90 MS CDQ observers have been trained to date, some MS CDQ participants have had difficulty obtaining observer coverage this summer. Industry participants in MS CDQ fisheries should engage in long-range planning with observer contractors for anticipated observer needs to ensure that adequate MS CDQ observer coverage will be available when it is needed.

NMFS will continue to offer one to two training classes each month through the University of Alaska Anchorage Observer Training Center to continue to provide opportunities for contractors train MS CDQ observers and maintain an adequate MS CDQ observer pool.