[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 9]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 50CFR660.719]

[Page 216-217]
 
                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
 
                   DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (CONTINUED)
 
PART 660_FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart K_Highly Migratory Fisheries
 
Sec.  660.719  Scientific observers.

    (a) All fishing vessels with permits issued under this subpart and 
operating in HMS fisheries, including catcher/processors, at-sea 
processors, and vessels that embark from a port in Washington, Oregon, 
or California and land catch in another area, may be required to 
accommodate an NMFS certified observer on board to collect scientific 
data.
    (b) All vessels with observers on board must comply with the safety 
regulations at 50 CFR 600.746.
    (c) NMFS shall advise the permit holder or the designated agent of 
any observer requirement in response to any pre-trip notification in 
this subpart.
    (d) When NMFS notifies the permit holder or designated agent of the 
obligation to carry an observer in response to a notification under this 
subpart or as a condition of an EFP issued under 50 CFR 660.718, the 
vessel may not engage in the fishery without taking the observer.

[[Page 217]]

    (e) A permit holder must accommodate a NMFS observer assigned under 
this section. The Regional Administrator's office, and not the observer, 
will address any concerns raised over accommodations.
    (f) The permit holder, vessel operator, and crew must cooperate with 
the observer in the performance of the observer's duties, including:
    (1) Allowing for the embarking and debarking of the observer.
    (2) Allowing the observer access to all areas of the vessel 
necessary to conduct observer duties.
    (3) Allowing the observer access to communications equipment and 
navigation equipment as necessary to perform observer duties.
    (4) Allowing the observer access to VMS units to verify operation, 
obtain data, and use the communication capabilities of the units for 
official purposes.
    (5) Providing accurate vessel locations by latitude and longitude or 
loran coordinates, upon request by the observer.
    (6) Providing sea turtle, marine mammal, or sea bird specimens as 
requested.
    (7) Notifying the observer in a timely fashion when commercial 
fishing operations are to begin and end.
    (g) The permit holder, operator, and crew must comply with other 
terms and conditions to ensure the effective deployment and use of 
observers that the Regional Administrator imposes by written notice.
    (h) The permit holder must ensure that assigned observers are 
provided living quarters comparable to crew members and are provided the 
same meals, snacks, and amenities as are normally provided to other 
vessel personnel.