New Regulatory Requirements Prompt
New Observer Sampling Protocols and Increase
the Number of Observer Days at Sea (cont.)
A catcher processor at sea. Photo by FMA Division.
Observers have collected genetic specimens from Chinook and chum salmon in the BS pollock fishery since 1995 to obtain data on the origin of the salmon caught and sampled in this fishery. These data collections were initially small and grew incrementally each year. With the implementation of Amendment 91, the genetic specimen data collections were increased and altered to use a more statistically rigorous method requested by data users.
Previously a fraction of pollock catcher vessels carried observers during all trips, and the vessel observer monitored the offload for all prohibited species with assistance from the plant observer. On observed trips, the vessel observer gave the plant observer information regarding all salmon caught (including any encountered and discarded at sea) to the plant observer, and the plant observer submitted data showing the total number of each species of salmon occurring in each delivery. Plant observers also counted and reported total number of each species of salmon occurring in each delivery from an unobserved vessel.
Monitoring deliveries of pollock at shoreside processing plants and SFPs is now the top priority of plant observers. All BS pollock catcher vessels now carry observers during all trips. To facilitate complete monitoring of every delivery, the onboard vessel observer assists the plant observer in monitoring the offload. All salmon encountered at sea are placed into the catcher vessel’s holding tanks. At the plant, all salmon are sorted out and placed into secured bins. At the end of the offload, the observer conducts a count by species of the salmon and collects specimens and biological data.
On catcher processors and motherships, all salmon are sorted from the catch and placed into secured bins. When the sorting for an individual haul is complete, the observer conducts a count by species of the salmon and collects specimens and biological data. Previously, the observer collected data from prohibited species encountered within their species composition samples. At the end of the processing of each haul, the observer counted and reported the total numbers of salmon in that haul. The increased observer coverage required by Amendment 91 for vessels participating in the BS pollock fishery has contributed to a 19% increase in observer days at sea for the first half of 2011 compared to the same period in each year from 2008 to 2010.
Weekly scheduled communication and coordination among FMA staff, industry, the NMFS Alaska Region Office, and the NMFS Office for Law Enforcement has fostered smooth operations as all participants become accustomed to the new protocols and regulations and has allowed for rapid response to any issues as they arise. New monitoring programs often require adjustments after implementation, and we continue to assess the new protocols, adjust them as needed, and communicate any changes to the involved parties. As we move into the second half of the year we are using the lessons learned in the first half to facilitate continued cooperation among all participants and the collection of high quality data for data users.
