October 22, 2018 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking the services of an independent contractor to assist the Council and its technical working group with conducting a review of the groundfish sector system, which is a catch share program under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Letters of interest and supporting materials must be received by November 30, 2018.
WHAT’S INVOLVED: The successful candidate’s primary role will be to support the technical working group conducting the Groundfish Catch Shares Program Review. The working group includes members from the Council, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office staff. The contractor will:
- Facilitate working group meetings;
- Research and summarize pertinent information and coordinate working group review documents;
- Assist with developing and writing the draft Catch Shares Program Review document;
- Present the draft document to the Groundfish Plan Development Team, Groundfish and Recreational Advisory Panels, Scientific and Statistical Committee, Groundfish Committee, and the full Council;
- And, among other tasks, prepare the final review document and presentations.
FOCUS OF REVIEW: The evaluation period for this review is focused strictly on fishing years 2010 to 2015, spanning from May 1, 2010 through April 30, 2016. This period covers the first six years of the catch share program under Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP. Information prior to program implementation also will be included for fishing years 2007 to 2009, covering May 1, 2007 through April 30, 2010.
TIMELINE: The contractor’s role is a short-term, temporary position that will begin on or about December 15, 2018 and end when the Council and the technical working group complete the review, tentatively in June 2019.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) catch share policy states that Councils periodically should review catch share programs to evaluate whether a program is meeting its goals and objectives. NOAA’s guidance is that “a formal and detailed review” should occur “no less frequently than once every seven years” for all limited access privilege programs (LAPPs) established after January 12, 2007. More information is available at NOAA Catch Share Policy.
APPLICATION DETAILS: Interested professionals are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, current resume or curriculum vitae, examples of similar work completed for other organizations or publications, and a budget with expected expenses by November 30, 2018.
- Interested candidates also should describe the approach that would be used to meet the requirements of the project, including deliverables.
- NOTE: Candidates employed by advocacy organizations or by organizations that are parties in fishery lawsuits will not be considered.
SOLICITATION NOTICE: Additional information and application mailing/email addresses are contained in the full solicitation notice, which is available here and at announcement.
QUESTIONS: For more information, contact New England Fishery Management Council Deputy Director Chris Kellogg at (978) 465-0492 ext. 112, ckellogg@nefmc.org.