ATTN: NE US Programs

[Liz Mitchell]

Hi all--we just got this in the other day. Can some NE Program folks please contact us so that we can get some comments in.

Thanks!

Liz Mitchell, APO
(541) 344-5503
emitch@efn.org

Northeast – Proposal Would Implement a Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology

NOAA Fisheries Service has proposed regulations to implement the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Omnibus Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans of the Northeast Region, developed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. This amendment would establish a standardized bycatch reporting methodology for all 13 fishery management plans in the Northeast Region, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The proposed measures include: bycatch reporting and monitoring mechanisms; analytical techniques and allocation of at-sea fisheries observers; a performance standard; a review and reporting process; framework adjustment and annual specifications provisions; a prioritization process; and provisions for industry-funded observers and observer set-aside programs.

Comments on this proposed rule may be sent to SBRM.Amend.PR@noaa.gov until September 20, 2007.

[Keith Davis]

Hello any and all Observers and Interested Parties:

We have formally commented on this proposal. The PDF version can be found on our website: http://www.apo-observers.org/letters...0-07_final.pdf . We would like to encourage others to send in their own comments or just send a note that you endorse our letter.

I am attaching a copy of the proposed rule as well as a Word version of the APO letter to reference or cite.

The deadline to comment is September 20th and comments must be sent to Patricia Kurkul at: SBRM.Amend.PR@noaa.gov with the subject line stating: "Comments on the Proposed Rule to implement the SBRM Omnibus Amendment."

Thanks,

Keith

[Liz Mitchell]

Hi,

Thought I'd post official comments to this proposal, with permission, from an east coast observer. There is extensive agency documentation (see APO letter) of how the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program's service delivery model has been fundamentally flawed since the program's inception over 15 years ago. If NMFS passes this, they will be ignoring over a decade of their own and other government scientific recommendations, which isn't a big surprise. If this passes, it probably won't stop there. I see this as a move to destabilize the nation's observer programs. Interestingly, there is a simultaneous push (via provisions in the reauthorization of the MS Act) to place the nation's fisheries resources into fewer and fewer private hands (rationalization), while decreasing public access to observer data.

Liz Mitchell