Federal Observer Coverage required in Maine Lobster Fishery

Published in Landings, June, 2015.

Everyone is aware that groundfish vessels must carry fisheries observers aboard to collect data on the catch. But did you know that observers are assigned to lobster boats as well?

The Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) is a federal observer program run by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a part of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The program has been in place since 1989 with a mission to collect, process, and manage data collected by observers on commercial fishing vessels. It has contracted with MRAG Americas to provide fishing vessel observers.

Lobster pot/trap sampling

The primary reason for observer coverage of the lobster pot and trap fishery is to sample the lobster catch (kept and discarded) and to sample bycatch (finfish, crabs, etc.). Catch data collected by observers include lobster weight, carapace length, sex, v-notch status, shell condition, and finfish lengths and weights. Observers also collect gear configuration data, haul level data, and trip level data. How many observers are assigned to how many boats is determined through a process known as the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM). The SBRM is evaluated prior to the start of each fishing year by the Population Dynamics Branch of the NEFSC and applies to a range of fisheries (for more information, see: http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/fsb/SBRM/). The lobster industry is not required to cover the cost of observers. All observers carry insurance through their employer, MRAG Americas (for contact information see: https://www.mragamericas.com/observer-programs/northeast-fishery-observer-program/).

UPDATE - Lobster pot/trap sea days 2015-2016

The program covered 15 trips in 2012, 30 in 2013, and 55 in 2014 (from the Northeast to the Mid-Atlantic). This year (2015-2016) the observer program will cover more sea days for the Maine lobster fishery than in prior years. Another change for the 2015-2016 year is that sea days are assigned to each state as opposed to specific statistical areas. As a result, observed lobster trips will depart from a wider selection of ports along the Maine coast and will include inshore and offshore trips.

The observer program covers vessels fishing in state or federal waters under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act for boats in possession of a federal limited access lobster permit (or any federal fishing permit) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) for any vessels engaged in a Category I or II fishery but not in possession of a federal permit. The lobster trap/pot fishery has been classified as a Category I fishery for 2015. Vessels that have a federal permit but fish in state waters could still be selected for coverage by the provider. Coverage in future years will depend on data needs and funding available to meet those needs. Any lobsterman who is interested in taking an observer or learning more about the program should contact the observer program.

Safety

NEFOP observers complete a 2.5 day safety training course during their initial training class and are required to participate in regular safety refresher courses. Observers maintain CPR and First Aid certifications and are provided with an immersion suit and PFD. As part of their duties, observers are required to conduct a vessel safety check before deploying on a trip. The observer will arrive at the boat early to complete the check before the vessel departs the dock. During the safety check, the observer will require crew assistance to check the vessel’s EPIRB and will also ask to examine the vessel flares, life raft, and other safety gear.

Vessels must have a current U.S. Coast Guard safety decal to carry an observer and may not depart on a trip selected for coverage until the decal is up to date (for examiner contact information, see

http://www.uscg.mil/D13/CFVS/DocksideExams.asp). This coverage is still new to the fleet and a number of boats north of Portland may not have the safety decals yet. MRAG Americas works with captains of the selected vessels to ensure that they get in touch with Coast Guard safety examiners in a timely manner. The safety examiners typically will perform the examination within a few weeks once contacted. The boat can continue to fish during that time. The observer generally contacts the captain to schedule a trip once the boat has a decal.

For more information, contact Glenn Chamberlain at 508-495-2153, glenn.chamberlain@noaa.gov or Sara Weeks at 508-495-2227, sara.weeks@noaa.gov Visit the Fisheries Sampling Branch Web site to view logs, manuals, and protocols used by observers at www.nefsc.noaa.gov/fsb.