The Council took action to initiate analysis to implement electronic monitoring (EM) on pollock catcher vessels (CVs) using pelagic trawl gear and tender vessels transporting pollock catch in the eastern Bering Sea (BS) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The principal investigators on the BS and GOA pelagic pollock EM exempted fishing permit (EFP) presented an… Read More →
Observer coverage update
The Council reviewed changes to observer deployment and data collection this year in the full and partial coverage program related to COVID-19, presented by the agency. After a report from its Fishery Monitoring Advisory Committee (FMAC), the Council provided recommendations to NMFS about re-introducing observers into the partial coverage observer program as well as developing… Read More →
Trawl Electronic Monitoring
The Council reviewed an exempted fishing permit (EFP) application on Implementing Electronic Monitoring systems in the Eastern Bering Sea (EBS) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Pollock Pelagic Trawl Catcher Vessel Fisheries and recommended that the EFP be approved, taking into account recommendations of the SSC and the Trawl EM Committee. This EFP would exempt participating… Read More →
Trawl Electronic Monitoring Research Plan
The Council approved a 2019 Trawl EM Cooperative Research Plan, developed by the Trawl Electronic Monitoring (EM) Committee. The 2019 cooperative research plan begins development of an EM program for compliance purposes, in accordance with Council direction from June 2018, and focuses on pelagic pollock trawl catcher vessels and tenders both delivering to shoreside processors,… Read More →
Electronic Monitoring
In Kodiak, the Council received an update about fixed gear and trawl EM development from the Electronic Monitoring Workgroup (which has now been renamed the EM Committee) and endorsed preliminary monitoring objectives for trawl EM development. In April 2018, the Council reconstituted membership on the EM Workgroup to reflect a transition from the development and… Read More →
Appointments and Committee Changes
Four new members were appointed to the Social Science Planning Team: Sally Bibb (NMFS Regional Office) to replace Rachel Baker; Mike Fey (AKFIN); Dr. Mike Downs (SSC member); and Dr. Elizabeth Figus (Council staff). The Chair also appointed new industry and Electronic Monitoring (EM) provider members to the EM Workgroup, as its focus changes from… Read More →
Trawl CVs to Join EM Workgroup
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED In February 2018, the Council changed priorities for the EM Workgroup to reflect a new focus in developing EM use on trawl catcher vessels. The Council formed the EM Workgroup in February 2014 to create an ongoing forum for EM discussions (initially with a fixed gear focus), and to inform… Read More →
Electronic Monitoring Priorities
At the February 2018 meeting in Seattle, the Council reviewed the status of observer and electronic monitoring (EM) projects in the groundfish and Pacific halibut fisheries off Alaska. The Council received a presentation from the National Observer Program about observer insurance issues. The presentation further provided an overview of the National Observer Program Safety Review.… Read More →
Electronic Monitoring
The Council reviewed the Electronic Monitoring (EM) Workgroup report from their March 2017 meeting. In addition to discussing how the 2017 program is working, a workplan for giving public input on the statement of work for an EM contract, and planning for the transition of the current EM pre-implementation program to an integrated Observer Program,… Read More →
Electronic Monitoring
The Council took final action to establish electronic monitoring (EM) as a part of the North Pacific Observer Program. Under the Council’s preferred alternative, Alternative 2, regulations would be implemented to allow EM to be used for catch estimation. EM would be integrated into the established Observer Program process, by which the Council and NMFS… Read More →
