Catch Weighing and Catch Monitoring for the Groundfish and Crab Fisheries of the GOA and BSAI
At-Sea Scale Inspections
Before a scale can be used to officially weigh catch at-sea it has to be inspected by a NMFS-authorized inspector. The inspector will check to make sure the scale is properly installed, all components of the scale are functioning (printer, display, software) and it can pass a performance test. The performance test consists of weighing a known quantity of test material (sand in bags) and making sure the scale being tested weighs the material accurately. In order to perform this test on a flow scale or hopper scale, the inspector we will be passing the test material across the scale in the same manner fish/crab would pass across the scale. Therefore, infeed belts must be operational before the test can be done.
We will perform scale inspections in Dutch Harbor, Kodiak or the Puget Sound area. We need to receive a request for a scale inspection at least 10 working days in advance of the requested inspection.
- 63 FR 5836, 2/4/98: Technical and Performance Requirements
- Scales Approved for Use At-Sea
- Scale Inspection Request Form:
SUBMIT ONLINE or Print and Fax/Mail - Scale Inspection Appointment Schedule
- Record of Daily Flow Scale Tests: PDF or Excel
- Record of Daily Automatic Hopper Scale Tests
Pacific Cod Freezer Longline Monitoring
NMFS has modified equipment and operational requirements for freezer longliners named on LLPs endorsed to catch and process Pacific cod at sea with hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. Vessel owners are required to select between two monitoring options: carry two observers or carry one observer and use a motion-compensated scale to weigh Pacific cod before it is processed. The selected monitoring option is required to be used when the vessel is operating in either the BSAI or GOA groundfish fisheries when directed fishing for Pacific cod is open in the BSAI, or while the vessel is fishing for groundfish under the CDQ Program. A vessel owner who notifies NMFS that the vessel will not be used to conduct directed fishing for Pacific cod in the BSAI or to conduct groundfish CDQ fishing during the year will not be required to follow the new monitoring requirements and will follow the current observer and reporting requirements.
Program Information
- 77 FR 63719, October 17, 2012. Correction to 77 FR 59053 published on September 26, 2012, modifying equipment and operational requirements for freezer longliners. Effective October 17, 2012, and applicable October 26, 2012.
- 77 FR 59053, September 26, 2012. Regulations that modify equipment and operational requirements for freezer longliners named on License Limitation Program licenses endorsed to catch and process Pacific cod at sea with hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. Effective October 26, 2012.
- Regulatory Impact Review/ Environmental Assessment, May 2012 and FONSI, September 2012
Forms
- Notification of Selected Monitoring Option (submit before November 1)
- Freezer Longline Electronic Monitoring Inspection Request
- Scale Inspection Request Form
- Observer Sampling Station Inspection Request
- Record of Daily Flow Scale Tests: PDF or Excel
Observer Sample Station and Bin Monitoring Inspection
Catcher processors participating in the GOA Rockfish Pilot program as part of a cooperative or in the limited access fishery must complete both the observer sampling station and bin monitoring inspection request forms. Vessels participating in the Opt-out fishery of the Rockfish Pilot Program must only complete the bin monitoring inspection request. Regulations regarding Bin Monitoring requirements can be found at 50 CFR 679.84 (c) and (d). Vessels participating in other groundfish fisheries requiring a sample station must complete the observer sampling station inspection form. An inspection request should be submitted at least 10 work days before the requested inspection date.
Crab Monitoring Plans
A Register Crab Receiver (RCR) must submit a Crab Monitoring Plan (CMP) for approval by NMFS. The CMP must be approved before receiving any Crab Rationalization crab deliveries. An inspection of the processing facility must be requested 10 working days before the requested inspection date. CMPs will be approved for one year. An owner or manager must notify NMFS in writing if changes are made in plant operations or layout. Regulations regarding the CMP performance standards can be found at 50 CFR 680.23(g).
- Crab Monitoring Plan: PDF or Word
- Crab Monitoring Plan Completed Example
Catch Monitoring and Control Plans
A processor taking deliveries from vessels engaged in directed fishing for Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management area and the GOA Rockfish Pilot Program must operate under an approved Catch Monitoring and Control Plan (CMCP). A CMCP must be submitted to NMFS for approval prior to receiving any BSAI Pollock deliveries. An inspection of the processing facility must be requested 10 working days before the requested inspection date. CMCPs will be approved for one year. Regulations regarding the CMCP performance standards can be found in 50 CFR 679.28(g).
Scales Approved for Use At-Sea
Before a Scale Inspection can take place, the model of scale must be included on a list of scales approved for weighing catch at sea. The following types and models of scale have been approved by NMFS.
APPROVED TOTAL CATCH WEIGHING SCALES
| Brand | Model | Type | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marel | M2000-X01 P1900/450A | Flow (self contained belt) | 40-80 tons/hr |
| Marel | M2000-X01 P1900/600A | Flow (self contained belt) | 40-80 tons/hr |
| Marel | M2000-X01 P1450/900A | Flow (self contained belt) | 80 tons/hr |
| Marel | M2000-X01 P1900/900A | Flow (self contained belt) | 80 tons/hr |
| Scanvaegt | 4674 | Flow (self contained belt) | 100 tons/hr |
| Marel | M2200 P1900/450A | Flow (self contained belt) | 40-80 tons/hr |
| Marel | M2200 P1900/600A | Flow (self contained belt) | 40-80 tons/hr |
| Marel | M2200 P1450/300 | Flow (self contained belt) | 40-80 tons/hr |
| Marel | M2200 P1450/900A | Flow (self contained belt) | 80 tons/hr |
| Marel | M2200 P1900/900A | Flow (self contained belt) | 80 tons/hr |
| Marel | M2200 P1900/300A | Flow (self contained belt) | 40-80 tons/hr |
APPROVED OBSERVER SAMPLING STATION SCALES
(May not be used to weigh total catch)| Brand | Model | Type | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marel | M2200-M02, PL6050 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M2200-M02, PL4000 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M2200-M02, PL4200 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M2000-M60, PL4200 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M2000-M60, PL6050 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M2000-M60, PL4000 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M2000-M87, PL 6050 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M2000-M87, PL 4000 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M2000-M87, PL4200 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M1500-M03, PL4200 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M1500-M03, PL6050 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M1500-M03, PL4000 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M1100-U2 PL3260 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M1100-U2, PL4200 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M1100-U2 , PL6050 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Marel | M1100-U2 , PL4000 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Ryco | Model 821-1212 | Platform | 50 kg |
| Ryco | Model 821-1218 | Platform | 50 kg |
| Ryco | Model 821-1824 | Platform | 100 kg |
| Ryco | Model 821-2424 | Platform | 100 kg |
| Pols | P15-185 | Platform | 100 kg to 2000 kg |
| Pols | P15-182 | Platform | 50 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 1024.30.50 | Platform | 50 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 1024.30.150 | Platform | 150 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 1027.20.50 | Platform | 50 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8406/1028.20.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8406/1028.25.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8406/1028.30.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8526/1028.20.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8526/1028.25.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8526/1028.30.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8544/1028.20.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8544/1028.25.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8544/1028.30.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8564/1028.20.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8564/1028.25.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
| Scanvaegt | 8564/1028.30.60 | Platform | 60 kg |
Contact Information
Alan Kinsolving
NMFS At-Sea Scales Program Coordinator
2245 CO Bar Trail
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
PH: (928)-774-4362
FX: (928)-774-4362
Email: alan.kinsolving@noaa.gov
Jennifer Watson
CMP/CMCP Program Coordinator
PO Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802
PH: (907)-586-7537 or (907)-586-7228
FX: (907)-586-7465
Email: jennifer.watson@noaa.gov
