NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE

SECTOR PROVIDER WORKSHOP

Wednesday August 5th, 2009
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Observer Training Center
25 Bernard Saint Jean Drive
East Falmouth, MA 02536

Service providers interested in becoming involved in groundfish sector monitoring (dockside and at-sea) are invited to attend a workshop hosted by NOAA Fisheries Service in Falmouth Massachusetts on August 5th, 2009. Sector managers and representatives are also encouraged to attend and participate.

Goals of the workshop
•Describe the criteria needed to become an approved provider
•Define the standards of sector monitors
•Detail the monitoring elements needed in Operations Plans
•Identify interested service providers

Background
During its June 2009 meeting, the New England Fishery Management Council approved Amendment 16, which allows for the implementation of 17 new groundfishing sectors and modifications to the hook and fixed gear sectors for fishing year 2010. In Fishing Year 2010, sectors are required to provide independent dockside monitoring coverage and may provide at-sea monitoring as well. The standards for sector monitoring and reporting providers are set forth in Amendment 16. Sectors are required to submit a list of potential providers of monitors for NOAA approval by September 1 as part of their sector operations plans. A full copy of Amendment 16 is available from the New England Fishery Management Council (telephone 978-465-0492, website: http://www.nefmc.org).

Dockside monitors will observe vessel landings and validate the information on the dealer's weigh-out slip. At-sea monitors will collect data on vessel operations and discards. At-sea monitoring would not be required until 2012, but sectors may opt for implementing an at-sea monitoring program before then. In the absence of at-sea monitoring, an assumed discard rate will be assigned to the sector.

Directions to Workshop
For driving directions and local amenities, please visit the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program website at: http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/femad/fsb/
For additional questions, please contact Kevin Chu at 978-281-9237.