[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61334-61335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28162]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XT02


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Catch 
Accounting in the Longline Catcher/Processor Pacific Cod Fishery

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of public workshop.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces a workshop to solicit feedback from owners and 
operators of longline catcher/processors (freezer longliners) engaged 
in the Pacific cod fisheries off Alaska. We are interested in feedback 
concerning improved catch accounting measures, specifically the 
feasibility of using motion-compensated scales for determining the 
weight of cod brought onboard; as well as other issues associated with 
improved estimation of Pacific cod catch and associated bycatch. The 
workshop is open to the public, but NMFS is particularly seeking 
participation by people who are

[[Page 61335]]

knowledgeable about the operations of cod freezer longliners.

DATES: The public workshop will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Alaska standard time.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Unalaska Public Library 
Alaskana Room, 64 Eleanor Drive, Unalaska, Alaska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Kinsolving, 928-774-4362 or 
Jennifer Watson, 907-586-7537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
has requested that NMFS prepare a discussion paper on improved catch 
accounting in the longline catcher/processor sector of the Pacific cod 
fishery off Alaska. Pacific cod and associated bycatch in this fishery 
are currently accounted for using data collected by NMFS-certified 
observers. Because only a portion of sets in the fishery are observed, 
the data from observed sets are extrapolated to estimate catch from 
unobserved sets and for unobserved trips. In order to improve catch and 
bycatch accounting in this fishery, a group representing many of the 
freezer-longline vessel owners, the Freezer Longline Coalition, has 
suggested that Pacific cod be accounted for using the weight of 
processed product coupled with an estimate of drop-offs (fish which are 
caught but that do not enter the factory) made by a NMFS-certified 
observer. NMFS staff believes that cod catch can best be accounted for 
using motion-compensated scales to weigh Pacific cod prior to 
processing coupled with an observer estimate of drop-offs. However, 
there are issues associated with available space and product quality 
that may make this approach less practical in this fishery than in 
others where the use of motion-compensated scales is required. New 
approaches to catch accounting may lead to increased duties for 
observers as well as necessitating additional work space for observers.
    In order to inform the discussion paper that NMFS staff will be 
preparing on this issue, we seek input into the vessel-specific 
difficulties associated with the use of motion-compensated scales to 
weigh all retained cod; and issues associated with providing additional 
space for an observer sampling station.
    This workshop is open to the public, but NMFS is particularly 
seeking input from people who work on freezer longliners and are 
familiar with vessel operations. The workshop has been timed to 
coincide with a period when a large number of freezer longliners will 
be in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska. As part of the process of gathering 
information on this issue, NMFS staff will be available before and 
after the meeting to tour individual vessels and discuss specific 
issues related to available space and the feasibility of weighing catch 
prior to processing.

Special Accommodations

    The workshop will be physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Jennifer Watson, 907-586-7537, at 
least 10 working days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: November 18, 2009.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-28162 Filed 11-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P