The Scallop Oversight Committee of the NEFMC is to hear an explanation from NMFS on how the Observer Set-Aside Program has run out in three instances.
In a letter dated Sept. 1, NOAA Fisheries Service announced that the 2009 Open Area Observer Days-at-Sea (DAS) Set-aside has been fully utilized. Therefore, for any Open Area scallop trip departing after 0001 hours, September 9, 2009 on which NOAA randomly mandates that an observer must on board, NMFA has informed vessels that they must bear the cost of that observer without compensation. This cost is in addition to making continuing contributions to the set-aside programs.
Saving Seafood has received numerous inquiries regarding this situation, controlling regulations, and government policy. Our contributing writer John Lee has researched the situation and files a story providing background.
The Scallop Oversight Committee of the New England Fisheries Management Council has added the agenda item “Report on recent issues with industry funded observer program and discuss possible improvements” to the Committee’s Wednesday, September 16 meeting at 3 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI. The meeting is public.