Tendering Scoping Paper

The Council reviewed a scoping paper identifying the specific observer data concerns with respect to vessels engaged in tendering, and the OAC recommendations for developing short-term and long-term solutions. The Council agreed with the OAC recommendations, and initiated the following two projects. To address the issue of salmon monitoring and sampling in the GOA pollock fishery, the Council recommends the development of electronic monitoring for trawl vessels participating in the GOA pollock fishery, to monitor for full retention and allow dockside monitoring of salmon during offload at the plant. For the data concern related to observer bias, the Council initiated an analysis to change the definition of a tender trip for the purpose of observer coverage, so that vessels would re-log trips for observer random selection on a more frequent basis when delivering to tender vessels. The analysis should also evaluate deploying observers directly from tender vessels.  Staff contact is Diana Evans.