Tag Archives: observer-program
How many fish are in the sea? New rules intend to help with the count.
Regulators and fishermen hope new rules set to take effect this summer will provide a more accurate understanding of the population of some of New England’s most iconic fish, including Atlantic cod, which has seen a spectacular collapse in recent decades. The rules, adopted this spring by federal regulators, will require boats in groundfish sectors to have a human observer or a camera aboard on every groundfish trip to keep tabs on what they catch and discard. >click to read< 09:37
Opinion: Been a lot about the Observer Program out there lately. My question is, why are they needed?!!
When our boats come to unload their catch, NOAA people are there to report their landings, and if they caught too much haddock, cod or flounder, or other species that are not allowed, the owner could face a fine. Of course, Electronic monitoring is an alternative to that. This would show what they caught each and every tow, thus not needing an observer that many can’t afford, and second it should be a NOAA financial obligation, not placed on our fishermen. There are so few of them left. There is a lot to think about, but the bottom line is, it should be a financial obligation of the government to harvest the government required data. Thank You, Sam Parisi, Gloucester 19:15
North Pacific council votes to hike observer fees in 2021
The costs for on-board fisheries observers will be increasing, and no one in the industry is particularly happy about it. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to adjust the observer fee percentage to 1.65 percent of ex-vessel values. It was previously set at 1.25 percent. The increase is intended to cover additional observer services to reach the target coverage rate set out by the council for the various fisheries across the North Pacific region. >click to read< 14:15
Another unlawful action by NOAA – Sam Frontiero, Gloucester
NOAA has already crippled the fishing industry with its junk science, but I guess they have a few more nails to pound into the coffin. They have implemented an observer program in which boats have to bring out observers to track their catch and monitor their fishing because as you know, American fishermen are actually under communist rule and the laws and rights of the American don’t apply to them. So here is the scenario to understand: Read the letter here 08:04
Massachusetts lobstermen are pissed off over NOAA’s Fisheries Observer Program, and I don’t blame ’em.
The specter of increased observer coverage on the decks of their boats is not sitting well with Massachusetts lobstermen, whose resistance to the NOAA Fisheries plan was in full flower at a public meeting Thursday night in Gloucester. Regulator’s plan to expand its Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) in the New England lobstering industry and as far down the East Coast as Maryland. The lobstermen also were not happy with answers they received on why they are being targeted for expanded observer coverage. Read the rest here 13:59
North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program Sees Changes in 2015
Fishermen and NMFS representatives discussed the 
. The overall feeling at the meeting seemed to be discontent with a grain of salt. Many fishermen who attended voiced their frustration with the observer program in general. But, many also said that they understand what its purpose is. That sentiment is nothing new to Martin Lefled. Read the rest here 07:45
Judge rules that NMFS failed to consider costs, data of new observer program
A federal judge ordered the National Marine Fisheries Service to prepare a supplemental environmental assessment for the revised marine observer program that was implemented in 2013, <Read more here> 21:59
Commerce IG Releases Catch Share Investigation Report, Announces Observer Program Audit
Attached please find the final report of our review of NOAAs management of Catch Share programs. This is the third report in a multiple-phase review of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Fishery Management Councils (FMC). The objective of the review was to evaluate the sufficiency of NOAA’s implementation and monitoring of a selection of catch share programs developed by FMCs. For the six programs reviewed, the report identified several issues: here
Notice: Audit of the National Marine Fisheries Service Observer Program here 16:49
Challenge to marine observer program to be heard April 16
Oral argument in the lawsuit over the revised federal marine observer program will be heard April 16 in Alaska U.S. District Court. Judge H. Russel Holland will hear from The Boat Company, Fixed Gear Alliance and the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding the program at the hearing in Anchorage. Read more here 17:54
Editorial: Time to pull plug on NOAA’s joke of observer program
Speaking last week at a meeting of the New England Fishery Management Council, current NOAA regional administrator John Bullard announced that, because NOAA somehow didn’t include full funding for the observer program, New 
England’s fishermen will have to pick up the cost themselves. That sounded ridiculous last week. But the now-documented and continued unfit status of these observers — and frankly, those who hire them — have now carried Bullard’s and NOAA’s demand to the level of the absurd. Read more here
Gulf of Alaska – Time to get a handle on bycatch numbers – By Dave Kubiak – peninsulaclarion.com
For years fishery managers and those concerned about bycatch have been plagued by a lack of real numbers on how many king salmon, crab and halibut are being discarded in some of the dirtiest fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska. In the struggle to reduce bycatch of these critical species, we haven’t even had an accurate body count. 
After prolonged frustration with the current system, a solution appeared to be on the horizon when the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (the Council) took action to restructure the observer program two years ago. At their meeting in Anchorage next week, the Council will review plans for implementation of
http://peninsulaclarion.com/opinion/2012-10-03/time-to-get-a-handle-on-bycatch-numbers
The Ringer – A True Story of the National Marine Fisheries Service Observer Program
Origional post Sun Aug 21, 2011 by jj
The Ringer A True Story of the National Marine Fisheries Service Observer Program
The National Marine Fishery Service observer program sends many recent graduates of marine biology programs out on fishing vessels to collect data for fisheries science and to observe fishing activity and how it affects the environment and wildlife. In stories about fishing you often hear of the efforts of sea captains and their brave crews and never a word about the observer who accepts and takes many of the same risks as anyone who signs on as a crew member in the world’s most dangerous job.
Call her M. as anonymity is a requirement of this story. She came aboard like every other observer with a stack of baskets and fish measuring stuff for her work during the voyage. She was in her early twenties. In a baggy sweatshirt pulled over a slender frame with hair pulled back in a pony tail she looked like just another fresh faced college kid ready to do her part for the cause of fish science. At first she kept to herself but since we weren’t going to take any fish on board the Osprey at that time of year it isn’t a very demanding job for an observer. I think this whole story happened because she got bored.
My crewmate C.D. is a cribbage player with a long history of wins over fellow crew members and captains. We had been having a series of very competitive games and while there was no clear victor I would give him a slight advantage over me in both number of wins and quality of play. He is very proud of his game and ability to play and brags on himself a little at times,,,,,,,,,,,Read More
