| July 2006 |
Bycatch Estimation Methodology Assessment
Workshop. This workshop provided
fish, protected resources, and seabird assessment
scientists with their first opportunity to
formally discuss methods currently used to
estimate bycatch and discard in U.S. fisheries. Results
of this workshop will be used to develop
a National Bycatch Report, which will provide
a comprehensive summary of regional and national
bycatch estimates.
|
| May 2006 |
Vessel Selection Bias Workshop. This
workshop focused on evaluating procedures employed
in observer programs to select vessels for observation
and other factors that could cause bias in estimates
of catch and bycatch. Based on the evaluations,
recommendations were developed by regional observer
program mangers, observer trainers, and data
analysts to address potential biases. The recommendations
were national in scope to be applied to all regional
observer programs, as well as specific recommendations
for reducing bias in each program. |
| March 2006 |
Contracting Template Workshop. The
NOP convened a workshop that brought together
the regional Observer Program Managers and
Contract Specialists from the Acquisition and
Grants Office (AGO) to develop guidelines for
the use of an Observer Program Performance-Based
Services Acquisition Request for Proposal (RFP)
template and develop solutions to ongoing observer
related issues through national and regional
collaboration.
|
| March 2001/September
2002/September 2003/January 2004/April 2005 |
Safety
Trainers Workshops. The objectives
of these workshops have been to bring together
observer trainers from all NOAA Fisheries
observer programs to facilitate distribution
and sharing of safety training resources,
to improve teaching methods, and to work
towards the development of national standards
for observer safety training. |
| July 2003 |
Coverage Levels Workshop.
This workshop brought together representatives
from observer programs around the country to
discuss observer coverage level issues and needs.
The primary objective was to initiate a process
that will lead to establishment of sound, program-specific
coverage levels. |
| April 2003 |
Data Confidentiality Workshop.
The objectives of the workshop were to reach
consensus on revisions needed to the NOAA Administrative
Order 216-100 to address confidentiality of observer
data, as well as other areas that require revision,
clarification, or updating, and to identify areas
where the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act should be amended to address
outstanding data confidentiality issues. |
| March 2003 |
Small Boats Workshop. The
objectives of this workshop were to identify
and discuss issues related to the deployment
of observers on small vessels, including safety
concerns and the requirement to have fishing
vessels obtain USCG safety decals before deployments,
the use of alternate platforms and alternative
technologies to supplement observer coverage,
and the expansion of observer coverage to recreational
fishing vessels. |
| August 2001/February 2003 |
Contracting
Workshops. The objectives of these
workshops were to bring together specialists
in contracting and representatives from all
NOAA Fisheries observer programs to identify
key elements of observer service provider
contracts, to discuss various types of contracting
mechanisms, and to improve skills in writing
Statements of Work so that observer service
contracts are clear, concise, and comprehensive,
and reflect program standards for data quality
and observer support. |
| June 2001 |
Insurance,
Liability and Labor Workshop. The
objectives of this workshop were to bring
together specialists in the insurance industry
and representatives from all NOAA Fisheries
observer programs to facilitate a better
understanding of insurance terminology, how
much coverage is enough, various types of
insurance coverages available, and pay structures. |
