April 2, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries announces its policy to reimburse electronic monitoring costs in addition to human at-sea monitoring costs.
NOAA Fisheries has been reimbursing industry’s costs for sector at-sea monitoring in the groundfish fishery using funds appropriated by Congress to fully fund monitoring in that fishery. Beginning May 1, 2021, groundfish sectors may use electronic monitoring to meet sector monitoring requirements, provided that the sector has a contract with an approved electronic monitoring service provider and electronic monitoring is part of the sector’s approved operations plan. Accordingly, we are announcing the details of our policy to reimburse electronic monitoring costs in addition to human at-sea monitoring costs.
Consistent with that policy, we encourage vessels to purchase and install electronic monitoring systems now, while funding is available, in preparation for the implementation of Amendment 23 in 2022. For more information please read our bulletin.
Questions?
Industry: Contact Claire Fitz-Gerald, Regional Office, 978-281-9255
Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103