Fisheries Management - Information Bulletins
Information Bulletin 99-44 Sustainable Fisheries Division 907-586-7228 |
April 22, 1999 4:00 p.m. |
Use of Flow Scales and Access to Observer Sampling Stationsin Non-CDQ Fisheries Some catcher/processors and motherships participating in Community Development Quota (CDQ) and American Fisheries Act (AFA) fisheries must provide scales to weigh unsorted catch and observer sampling stations which enable improved sampling by observers, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The accuracy of data collected by observers is greatly enhanced in AFA and CDQ fisheries when the scales are operational and the sampling stations are available to the observer. In some cases, operators of vessels that have scales and observer sampling stations installed choose not to utilize them in non-AFA or non-CDQ fisheries. While permitted, this practice does not utilize equipment available on the vessel that would improve data quality and decrease the observer's workload. |