The Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program Manual
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The Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program Manual 2005 The Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program Manual 2005 2005 AMMOP Manual Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program Manual 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1: The Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program The Marine Mammal Protection Act .................................................................................... 1-2 MMPA Observer Programs .................................................................................................. 1-4 Alaska MMPA Observer Program ........................................................................................ 1-4 Observer Program Responsibilities ...................................................................................... 1-5 National Marine Fisheries Service .................................................................................. 1-7 The Contractor ................................................................................................................ 1-7 The Alaska Department of Fish and Game ..................................................................... 1-8 The Commercial Fishery Permit Holders ....................................................................... 1-8 Observers ........................................................................................................................ 1-8 Vessel Operators ............................................................................................................. 1-8 Other Agencies and Organizations ................................................................................. 1-8 Section 2: Kodiak Island Environment Geography.............................................................................................................................. 2-1 Climate................................................................................................................................... 2-3 Fauna...................................................................................................................................... 2-3 The Commercial Salmon Fishery in Kodiak ......................................................................... 2-4 The 2004 Kodiak Area Harvest and 2005 Harvest Projection......................................... 2-5 Kodiak Set Gillnet Gear and Operations ......................................................................... 2-6 Set Gillnet Fishing Effort and Distribution...................................................................... 2-6 The Salmon Species of Kodiak.............................................................................................. 2-7 Section 3: Kodiak 2005 - Sampling Plan and Protocols AMMOP Sampling Regions.................................................................................................. 3-2 Estimating Fishing Effort....................................................................................................... 3-3 Permit Sample Selection........................................................................................................ 3-4 Joint Ventures, Leased Nets, and Co-ops............................................................................... 3-5 Permit Sample Day ................................................................................................................ 3-7 Projected permit sample totals............................................................................................... 3-7 Beaufort Sampling Reduction Plan........................................................................................ 3-9 Observer Role & Duties....................................................................................................... 3-10 Observer Duties ............................................................................................................. 3-10 Lead Observer Duties .................................................................................................... 3-11 Table of Contents i 2005 AMMOP Manual Debriefing and Data Editing .......................................................................................... 3-11 Data Entry ...................................................................................................................... 3-11 Observer Duties Checklist ............................................................................................. 3-13 Standards of Conduct..................................................................................................... 3-14 Conflict of Interest ......................................................................................................... 3-15 Regulatory Compliance ....................................................................................................... 3-15 Trip Refusals.................................................................................................................. 3-15 Marine Mammal Authorization Certificate ................................................................... 3-17 Observer Guidelines for Preparing an Affidavit............................................................ 3-19 Administrative Forms .......................................................................................................... 3-21 Observer Logbook ......................................................................................................... 3-21 Trip Summary Report Form........................................................................................... 3-22 Debriefing Form ............................................................................................................ 3-22 Sample Tracking Log..................................................................................................... 3-25 Data Access Agreement................................................................................................. 3-26 Data Release Form ........................................................................................................ 3-27 Subsistence Reimbursement Form................................................................................. 3-28 Section 4: Data Forms and Instructions General Data Guidelines........................................................................................................ 4-2 Data Collection Organization Chart ...................................................................................... 4-3 Trip Forms Trip Information Form .................................................................................................... 4-4 Set Gillnet Gear Characteristics Form ........................................................................... 4-10 Set Gillnet Haul Form ................................................................................................... 4-18 Fish/Shark Sample Form .............................................................................................. 4-25 Incidental Take Form .................................................................................................... 4-28 Marine Mammal Biological Sampling Guidelines ........................................................ 4-33 Marine Mammal Sample Form ..................................................................................... 4-39 Marine Bird Biological Sampling Guidelines ............................................................... 4-42 Marine Bird Sample Form ............................................................................................ 4-50 Marine Mammal Sighting Watches ............................................................................... 4-54 Sighting Form ................................................................................................... 4-59 Photo Form ................................................................................................................... 4-63 Fisher’s Comment Form ............................................................................................... 4-65 Supplemental Research Supplemental Research Summaries............................................................................... 4-67 Alaska Shark Assessment Program Poster .................................................................... 4-69 Dogfish Sampling .......................................................................................................... 4-70 High Seas Salmon Research Program Poster ................................................................ 4-79 Sablefish Tagging Poster ............................................................................................... 4-80 Marine Mammal Stranding Report Level A Data Form ............................................... 4-81 Sea Lion Haulouts Map ................................................................................................. 4-83 Haulout Count and Steller Sea Lion Brand Re-Sight Form........................................... 4-84 Seabird Colony Counts .................................................................................................. 4-85 Spawning Forage Fish Data Poster and Form .............................................................. 4-87 ii Table of Contents 2005 AMMOP Manual Section 5: Health and Safety Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 5-1 Safety Protocol For Observers .............................................................................................. 5-2 AMMOP Safety Checklist For