Observer Program

Observer Program

At the core of the North Pacific fisheries management system is a comprehensive, industry-funded data collection and monitoring program that uses onboard observers and electronic monitoring (EM). Staff contact is Elizabeth Figus: 907-271-2801, elizabeth.figus@noaa.gov

NEWS

There is currently one vacant seat on the FMAC, for a representative of the pot catcher vessel sector! A nominations period to fill this vacancy is open until noon on May 31st. The new member is expected to begin attending FMAC meetings starting in September 2019, in Seattle. Please submit a letter of interest and a resume to Council staff member Elizabeth Figus by noon on May 31st (elizabeth.figus@noaa.gov; 907-271-2801).

Upcoming Meetings

FMAC: The Fishery Monitoring Advisory Committee (FMAC) is scheduled to meet May 20-21, from 08:00 – 5pm at AFSC in Seattle, WA. Meeting AGENDA

Trawl EM Committee: The next meeting of the Trawl EM Committee is scheduled for August 21-22, in Portland, OR. Meeting AGENDA forthcoming.

Fishery Monitoring Advisory Committee (FMAC)

Formerly known as the ‘Observer Advisory Committee’

FMAC Subgroup →

The FMAC last met September 13-14, in Seattle.

Trawl Electronic Monitoring Committee (EMC)

Formerly known as the ‘Electronic Monitoring Workgroup’

The EMC last met November 19-20, 2018, in Seattle. The next meeting of the EMC is tentatively scheduled for March 4-5, 2019, in Seattle.

Newsletter Articles (starting in December 2016)

Observer Fee Analysis (4/12/2019)
Observer Annual Deployment Plan (12/14/2018)
Observer Coverage on Vessels Delivering to Tenders (12/14/2018)
Trawl Electronic Monitoring Research Plan (12/14/2018)
Observer Program Annual Deployment Plan (10/12/2018)
Observer Issues: 2017 Annual Report (6/15/2018)
Electronic Monitoring (6/15/2018)
Fishery Effort and Observer Coverage Relative to Tanner Crab Distribution in the CGOA (6/15/2018)
Appointments and Committee Changes (4/12/2018)
Trawl CVs to Join EM Workgroup (2/20/2018)

Documents and Council Motions

Observer Program

2019

Council motion on the Fee Analysis (4/19)
Council motion on the FMAC Report (4/19)
FMAC meeting April 2, 2019, in Anchorage, AK: Agenda, Report
FMAC Subgroup meeting March 27, 2019, via teleconference: Agenda, Report
FMAC Subgroup meeting January 17, 2019, via teleconference: Agenda, Report

2018

Council motion on observer tendering update document (12/18)
2019 ADP (12/18)
FMAC Subgroup meeting November 19, 2018, in Seattle: Agenda, Report
Council motion on the draft 2019 ADP (10/18)
Council motion on the FMAC Subgroup (10/18)
Council motion on letters regarding funding for the Observer Program and the Observer Safety Review document (10/18)
Council letter to National Observer Program regarding Safety Review document (10/18)
Council letter to NMFS requesting more funding for the Observer Program (10/18)
FMAC Report (09/18)
- Meeting Documents: Agenda; Observer Safety Review document (05/18); Observer Safety presentation; September 2018 FMAC Subgroup Fee Analysis Update; Fee Analysis Monitoring Objectives paper (05/18); FMAC Subgroup Meeting Summary; draft 2019 Annual Deployment Plan; Draft Annual Deployment Plan presentation; Observer Analytical Tasks Document; PDF of in-meeting optimization estimates; PDF of in-meeting optimization estimates
Council motion on Observer Issues (6/18)
Deck sorting RIR (6/18)
2017 Observer Program Annual Report; Annual Report presentation
OAC Report (5/18)
- Meeting Documents: Agenda; NMFS Draft Procedural Directive on Cost Allocation in EM Programs for Federally Managed US Fisheries; B. Alger Presentation: NMFS Cost Allocation Policy Directive; Observer Program Annual Report Presentations [overview, deployment review; Observer Analytical Task Status document; Homework reading on EMWG and Cost Allocation Policy Directive discussion; Observer Fee Analysis Monitoring Objectives discussion paper (aka reference points analysis); OAC Subgroup review of Monitoring Objectives discussion paper, DRAFT document; OAC Subgroup discussion paper on options to address low selection rates, September 2017; Observer Program Safety Review, released May 2018
Fee analysis update; Council motion on fee analysis (2/18)
Presentation on observer analytical tasks; Presentation on observer insurance updates (2/18)

2017

Final 2018 Observer Annual Deployment Plan (12/17)
Council motion, letter to NMFS re EM 100% selection (10/17); NMFS response (12/17)
Draft Statements of Work for Observer contract, EM contract; Council comment letter (10/17)
Draft 2018 Observer Annual Deployment Plan (9/17); presentation; Council motion (10/17)
Scoping paper on observer issues related to vessels delivering to tenders (8/17); OAC recommendation (9/17); Council motion (10/17)
OAC paper on options for increasing sample rates (10/17); Council motion (10/17)
OAC Report (9/17), revised Observer analytical task status (9/17)
- Meeting docs: Report from OAC subgroup on options for increasing sample rates, 9/15/17; pre-meeting draft of observer analytical task status
Council letter to NMFS re observer funding (6/17)
Lead Level 2 Observer analysis Public Review draft (5/17), Council final MOTION (6/17)
2016 Observer Annual Report (5/17); Council MOTION (6/17); presentations – overview, deployment chapter, enforcement chapter
OAC Report (5/17), Observer analytical status table incorporating OAC recommendations (5/17)
- Meeting docs: Presentation on 2016 observer sampling analysis presentation; Status of observer analytical tasks; Staff recommendation on changes to the observer disembark location analysis; Observer Insurance briefing; Observer retention survey briefing, fact sheet; Observer safety review briefing, fact sheet; Discussion on low sampling rates (Falvey draft, reorganized thoughts); Public comment (C.Hughes letter, Oceana letter)
Council motion on evaluating options to address low sampling rates in partial coverage (4/17)
Lead Level 2 Observer Initial Review (3/17); presentation of analysis; Council motion (4/17)

2016

Final 2017 Annual Deployment Plan (12/16)
Lead Level 2 Observer Discussion Paper (9/16); Council motion (10/16)
Draft 2017 Annual Deployment Plan, 9/12/16; presentation; Council motion (10/16)
OAC Report (9/16)
- Meeting docs: Status of observer analytical priorities, ATLAS project update (9/16), AIS Permit Approval Letter (8/16), Observer Safety Action Plan (presentation, Action Plan, Survey)
Council letter to NMFS re observer funding (7/16); NMFS response letter (9/16)
2015 Observer Annual Report (5/16), presentations – Rilling, Faunce (5/16). Council motion (6/16)
OAC Report (5/16).
- Meeting docs: presentation/report on estimating variance; status of analytical priorities (5/16); discussion paper on ATLAS/reporting changes
Public Review Draft for Amendment to allow BSAI trawl CVs to select full observer coverage, Council motion (2/16)

2015

Final 2016 Observer Annual Deployment Plan (12/15)
2016 Observer Annual Deployment Plan: Draft (9/15), NMFS presentation, Council motion (10/15), OAC report (9/15)
OAC report (9/15) on other analytical projects, documents: Observer insurance regulatory amendment update; Lead level 2 NMFS update, industry next steps, Council motion (10/15); Observer analytical projects priority update; OLE Violation trends
BSAI trawl CVs full coverage initial review draft RIR/IRFA (9/15), Council motion (10/15), OAC report (9/15)
GOA trawl 100% observer coverage discussion paper, OAC report (9/15) (Council took no further action, 10/15)
2014 Observer Program Annual Report (5/15), Council presentations (Rilling, Faunce), Council Motion (6/15)
Supplemental EA for the observer program (5/15)
Observer analytical projects priority and status (6/15)
Observer insurance: Council letter to NMFS (7/14), NMFS response (5/15)
Small CPs regulatory amendment analysis, supplemental information; Council motion (6/15)
BS trawl CVs regulatory amendment: discussion paper, OAC comments (5/15), Council motion (6/15)
OAC Report (5/14)

2014

Final 2015 Observer Annual Deployment Plan (12/14)
2015 Observer Annual Deployment Plan: Draft (9/14); NMFS presentation (10/14); Council motion (10/14); OAC report (9/14)
Observer analytical project tasking (10/14)
FLL LL2 observer letter to NMFS, NMFS response, Council motion (10/14)
2013 Observer Program Annual Report (5/14), Council Motion (6/14), OAC Report (5/14)
Observers for Tendering Vessels Regulatory Amendment; Council Motion (6/14), OAC Report (5/14)
FLL LL2 observer letter to NMFS (5/14); Council Motion (6/14), OAC Report (5/14)
2013 Observer Program Annual Report Outline, Council motion, OAC Report (2/14)
Observer Regulatory Amendments Discussion Paper, Council motion (2/14)
National EM Workshop, January 2014: Proceedings available at: www.eminformation.com

2013

2014 Observer Annual Deployment Plan: Draft (9/13), NMFS ADP letter (9/13), Council motion (10/13), OAC Report (9/13)
NMFS letter providing information on catch estimates and observer coverage in 2013 (9/13)
Preliminary 2013 Observer Program Annual Performance Review, Council motion, OAC Report (6/13)

2012

2013 Observer Annual Deployment Plan: OAC draft (9/12), OAC presentations (ADP, Registration System), Council draft (10/12), Council motion (10/13), NMFS ADP Letter (12/12), Council motion (12/12), Final 2013 ADP (1/13)

Electronic Monitoring (EM)

2019

EM Committee meeting: March 4-5, 2019, Seattle, WA.
- Meeting materials: Agenda, Report

2018

Council motion on Trawl EM Committee Report and 2019 Cooperative Research Plan
EM Committee meeting: November 19-20, 2018, Seattle, WA. Report
- Meeting materials: Agenda, AKR Implementation Plan Amendment, White Paper on discards, Current Observer Sampling Manual, Draft data streams paper, Cooperative Research Plan Outline, Item 2(b) Automated image analysis workshop summary, Item 5(d) Exempted Fishing Permits presentation
EM Committee meeting: August 23-24, 2018, Seattle, WA. Report
- Meeting materials: Agenda; Presentation about Seabirds; EMC Cooperative Research pre-meeting reading assignment; Electronic Technologies Implementation Plan Interim Update Document; Chute camera work in the Bering Sea and GOA; Review of the Cooperative Research Approach and EM Implementation Steps; Chute camera presentation; Kodiak salmon research presentation; Whiting presentation; Bering Rose update
Council motion on Electronic Monitoring Workgroup Report (6/18)
Council letter to NMFS regarding the draft EM Cost Allocation Procedural Directive document
EM Workgroup meeting: May 15, 2018, Seattle, WA. Fixed Gear Report and Trawl Report (5/18);
- Meeting materials: Agenda; AMR EM Cost Analysis Memo; Observer Program Annual Report (Appendix B); NMFS Seabird Handling flyer; Presentation, The Chute Camera; Presentation, Monitoring Salmon Bycatch; EM Poster at AMSS 2018, C. Rose et al.; Summary of the whiting EM program; The original whiting EFP application; A copy of the F/V Lisa Melinda’s EFP; A copy of the F/V Lisa Melinda’s Vessel Monitoring Plan; Presentation, Electronic Monitoring in Alaska: Lessons Learned
Presentation on EM prioritization; Council motion on EM priorities (2/18)
Final 2018 Observer Annual Deployment Plan (includes EM deployment)
2018 VMP template
2018 longline and pot effort logbook forms

2017

Draft Statement of Work for EM contract; Council comment letter (10/17)
EM Workgroup meeting: September 18, 2017, Seattle, WA. Minutes.
- Meeting materials: AGENDA; Trip selection update, Budget update; Draft 2018 Observer Annual Deployment Plan (ADP) (especially Appendix B and Appendix D); EM innovation presentation
2018 VMP template, effort logbooks: pot, longline
EM final rule (8/17), EM equipment specifications
Council motion (4/17) on 2018 EM deployment and comments on the EM Integration proposed rule
EM outreach meeting in Kodiak, March 30, 2017 (flyer).
EM Workgroup meeting: March 28-29, 2017, Kodiak, AK. Minutes, including EMWG recommendation on 2018 EM deployment
- Meeting materials: Agenda; NMFS budget update, SWI operational update; Final PSMFC 2016 fieldwork report; 2016 Longline EM Cost/Spending Memo (note: this is an updated version from May 2017); Proposed Rule for EM; draft malfunction response matrices; VMP Template

2016

Final 2017 EM Pre-implementation Plan, 2017 VMP template, 2017 Longline and Pot effort logbook forms
Presentation to Council on EM analysis. Council motion adopting EM for catch estimation (12/16)
EM Integration analysis – Public Review Draft, November 2016.
EM Workgroup meeting: November 28-29, 2016. Teleconference and SeaTac, WA. Minutes. Revised 2017 Pre-implementation Plan.
- Meeting materials: Agenda; Memo to EMWG on cost analysis; Progress report on EM innovation; <40′ fleet profiles and port rankings from July 2016; <40′ maps
EM Integration analysis – Initial Review Draft, 9/13/16; presentation; Council motion (10/16)
Draft 2017 EM Pre-Implementation Plan – EMWG Recommendation to Council, 9/13/16
EM Workgroup meeting: August 25, 2016. Teleconference. Agenda; Discussion draft of 2017 Pre-implementation plan in track changes; Subgroup notes: Deployment, Seabird, EM Hardware.
EM Workgroup meeting: July 26-28, 2016. Anchorage, AK.
- Meeting materials: Agenda; Update on 2016 – PSMFC 2016 data tables – July update, longer June version, Budget update, AMR field report; EM analysis – SSC comments from June 2016, analytical outline, EM development process/Howard version/Falvey revised, EM implementation overview, catch estimation outline for analysis, paper on EM impact on human observer pool, EM violation detection document, draft EM hardware requirements, biological sample data, total catch data, <40 foot fleet profiles/port rankings, cost framework and RIR document, idea for logbook audit alternative; 2017 pre-implementation – 2017 funding outlook, draft 2017 pre-implementation plan; NW/NE presentation
EM update at June Council meeting: SSC report (6/16), Enforcement Committee minutes (6/16).
- Meeting docs: program overview; PSMFC interim data tables for 2016; catch estimation paper; Enforcement Consideratio ns handout
Final PSMFC 2015 report
Final Opt-in letter for participation in 2017 EM program – sent to fleet on May 27, 2016
EM Workgroup meeting: May 11, 2016. HIGHLIGHTS AND ACTION POINTS. Teleconference and in-person in Seattle, WA.
- Meeting materials: Agenda; NMFS 2016 Pre-Implementation Program Update; 2017 Funding Outlook, revised regional implementation plan table; Industry draft of 2017 pre-implementation, Draft 2017 EM Selection Pool Opt-in Letter; Enforcement considerations; adjustments to implementation timeline for EM analysis, and implementation process-mechanisms; Catch estimation options; performance metrics draft; Presentation on stereo camera work (and background paper on camera measurement accuracy).
Council motions on EM analysis and 2017 pre-implementation (2/16)
Update to EMWG on follow-up discussions from January meeting (2/16)
Final 2016 EM Pre-implementation Plan (1/16)
EM Workgroup meeting: January 11-12, 2016. Anchorage, AK. MEETING REPORT TO COUNCIL (on EM analysis and 2017 pre-implementation).
- Meeting materials: AGENDA; 2016 VMP cover letter, vessel scorecard, and draft effort logbook; 2016 EM video review protocols; Stereo camera presentation; Industry proposal for 2017 pre-implementation; draft EM alternatives for the analysis; EM Program Components; status of EM analytical projects; OLE enforcement considerations; Pot catch composition. Background: NOAA’s New England Cost Comparison study, and independent review of study; Enforcement precepts from December 2015 Council meeting – presentation, document.

2015

EM Workgroup meeting: November 2-3, 2015, Anchorage. Meeting materials: Agenda; 2015 ALFA EM exit survey; Vessel scorecard proposal, VMP draft cover sheet, example; EM integration analysis: Timing of analytical studies, Current draft of alternatives and purpose and need, Integrating EM into the Observer Program, Components of an EM Program; NMFS cost analysis simulations for 2016 EM program; Pot fishery demographics.
NMFS confirmation letter to 2016 opt-in vessels
Council motion (10/15) approving EMWG recommendation for 2016 EM Pre-implementation Plan, and Newsletter (pg 3); SSC minutes (10/15), and NMFS cost analyses as presented to the SSC
EM Workgroup Meeting: September 8, 2015, teleconference. MINUTES, Recommendation for 2016 EM Pre-implementation Plan. Meeting materials: AGENDA, letter exchange on pot cod research plans: SWI, NMFS.
Tweit presentation on NPFMC Electronic monitoring at Aug 2015 AFS EM Symposium
EM Workgroup Meeting: July 30-31, 2015, Anchorage, AK. MINUTES, Working Draft pre-implementation plan coming out of meeting. Meeting materials: Agenda, PSMFC report on 2015 research, Feedback from ALFA exit surveys; 2016 opt-in pool, Demographic characteristics on max EM pool; Deployment options, Cost simulations, Vessel activity 2-4-4-2; Vessel monitoring plans; EFP option for rockfish retention, ADFG Commissioner’s Permit information; e-logbooks; Roadmap for using EM data in catch accounting; Draft budget; Pot cod Phase I Report, Presentation, Phase II Scope of work; Recap of EM analysis timeline, alternatives, and purpose and need; NFWF open source software proposals – Saltwater, SeaState.
Wallace presentation on EM at May 2015 Lowell Wakefield
NMFS letter to fleet to opt-in to the 2016 EM Pool
EM Workgroup meeting: April 27, 2015. Minutes, Working Draft 2016 EM Program Plan, EM project tasking list, 2015 video review protocol. In-meeting materials: Agenda. Final PSMFC 2014 EM Fieldwork Report, PSMFC video review questions, Draft EM 2016 deployment strawman, initial NMFS comments on time-sensitive elements, Budget update from NMFS.
SSC/Council review of Cooperative Research Plan (2/15): SSC minutes, Presentations: Operational Testing Fieldwork (McElderry), R&D Fieldwork (Wallace)
SSC EM workshop: February 2, 2015. Agenda, Presentations – British Columbia (Stanley), Pacific Coast (Wiedoff), Northeast (Hooper), Previous EM studies (Wallace), AK Strategic and Implementation Plans (Mondragon and Rilling), Alaska Fixed Gear Demographic Overview
Final Cooperative Research Plan for 2015 (1/15)
Final Alaska Electronic Technologies Regional Implementation Plan (1/15)
Meeting notes from Data Review Protocol subgroup (1/15)
EM Workgroup meeting: January 12-13, 2015. Minutes, Agenda. In-meeting materials: PSMFC report on 2014 EM activities (1/7/15 draft), WORKING DRAFTS (EM Cooperative Research Plan and Operational Testing Plan), Seabird Monitoring Subgroup Notes from December 2014 subgroup discussion

2014

EM Workgroup meeting: November 19-20, 2014, and teleconference December 1, 2015. Minutes & projects table (11/14). Council discussion (12/14). In-meeting materials: Agenda, NPFA/Saltwater presentation on pot cod work (corrected), Recap of purpose and need, alternatives, and decision points, Graphic of integrated fieldwork-Council process-ADP, AMR Discusion Draft Monitoring Alternatives, Appendix, Draft cost framework, Draft outline for methods to get weight paper, Seabird handling presentation, reference list, Draft Operational Testing Plan for 2015, NPRB Stereo research proposal, Draft 2015 budget plan, PSMFC draft 2015 budget info, NMFS selection letter for vessels participating in Operational field testing, Draft Alaska Regional Electronic Technologies Implementation Plan
Report on EM fieldwork in 2014 (10/14)
EM Workgroup meeting: September 23-24, 2014 – Minutes & Project table (9/14); Council motion (10/14). In-meeting materials: 2014 fieldwork updates (Saltwater, PSMFC); Context/goals worksheet, types of EM tools; field research tracks (revised track 1 synthesis and Archipelago memo, Appendix C to tracks 2/3 for pot vessels; Track 4 logbook plan). In-meeting draft discussion documents: Standard configuration strawman/ fieldwork comparison, Logbook audit strawman/ fieldwork comparison. Background: Pacific Council draft EM analysis for trawl groundfish catch share program.
EM Workgroup meeting: August 13, 2014 teleconference – Minutes (8/14); in-meeting materials: Track 1 study design, Tracks 2/3 study design, data protocol meeting summary/spreadsheet (corrected); PSMFC video data review summary
EM Workgroup meeting: May 15-16, 2014 – Minutes & Research Plan (5/14), Council Motion (6/14)
NMFS letter seeking volunteers for 2015 EM research (5/14)
FInal EM Strategic Plan (4/14)
Council motions appointing the EM Workgroup (4/14): Purpose & Objective, May agenda
AFSC letter on Catch Reporting Standards for IFQ fisheries (2/14)
Adhoc Industry EM meetings: Workshop (2/14); Teleconferences (3/5/14; 3/26/14)
EM Cooperative Research Summary, Council Motion on creating an EM Workgroup (2/14)
National EM Workshop, January 2014 – proceedings, website

2013

NMFS letter regarding the 2014 EM pilot project (9/13), OAC Report September 2013
Strategic Plan for EM/ER in the North Pacific; Council motion, OAC report (6/13)
NMFS Policy on Electronic Technologies (5/13)
Draft EM Strategic Plan Outline, Presentation; Council motion, OAC report (4/13)

2012 and earlier

OAC report (9/12), presentations: NMFS 2013 EM pilot project, Industry EM project report
NMFS letters on development of EM 3/21/12, 5/31/12; Council comment on proposed rule 5/14/12
OAC Reports: September 2011, March 2011
NMFS discussion paper on EM in Alaska (1/11)
EM Workshop Proceedings (7/08)
Electronic Monitoring of Halibut Discards in GOA Rockfish Fishery report (5/08)
NMFS Video Monitoring Discussion Paper (6/06)

Development of restructured program, 2008-2012

NMFS’ proposed regulations for implementing the program 4/18/12; Council comment on proposed rule 5/14/12
Proposed Regulations and Proposed Rule for Observer Program (Am86-76) (10/11); OAC Report September 2011; Council Motion (10/11)
OAC Report, March 2011
Council letter – Observer Funding Request (11/10)
Public review draft analysis for observer restructuring, (10/10); OAC Report September 2010; Final Council motion on restructuring (10/10)
Letter to NOAA requesting federal observer program funds 6/30/10
Initial review Observer Restructuring EA (5/10); OAC Report May 2010; Council motion (6/10)
Implementation plan for Observer Program Restructuring (9/09); OAC Report September 2009; Council motion (10/09) OAC Report January 2010
Observer Restructuring Implementation Plan Outline (6/09)
Observer program restructuring discussion paper (12/08), NMFS letter on recommendations (12/08); Council motion (12/08)
BSAI and GOA Percent Observed Catch, 2004-2007 (5/08)
OAC report March 2008