Northeast Fisheries Observer Programs Updates

Amy Sierra Martins Chief, Fisheries Sampling Branch Outline ● About the Fisheries Sampling Branch ● What Observer Data Used For ● Types of Observer Programs & Seaday Assignments ● Seaday Accomplishments (2018-2019) ● Electronic Monitoring ● Observer Funding FY2019 ● SBRM Timeline & Products ● SBRM Requirements & Seaday Schedule 2019 ● Training schedule 2019 ● Safety Regulations ● PTNS Operational Change 2019 ● Observer Safety Review ● Observer Retention Survey ● Outreach Events ● Policy Handbooks NEFSC Fisheries Sampling Branch Mission: ● To collect exceptional, timely, and unbiased fishery dependent data in the Northwest Atlantic. To promote long-term sustainability of fishery ecosystems by working collaboratively with fishing communities, scientists, resource managers, stakeholders, and the public. Goals Values Statement Train, certify, and retain high performing observers. With integrity and transparency, safely Safely deploy and support observers. Modernize and enhance at-sea data collection and dissemination. deploy highly trained fisheries observers. Strengthen stakeholder relationships. Through strong relationships with Support science and fishing communities. fishermen and end users, provide an Provide outreach to fishing communities and the public regarding adaptive workforce to support ecosystem- observer program purpose and goals, including information about based fishery management with unbiased coverage levels. quality data. What Are Observer Data Used For?

● Manage sustainable fisheries ● Evaluate stocks ● Population assessment of marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds ● Evaluating fisheries impacts on protected species ● Measuring compliance with fisheries regulations ● Monitoring experimental fisheries and gear types ● Testing bycatch reduction devices Types of Observer Programs and Seaday Assignments in the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program Observer Programs: ● Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) ● Industry Funded Scallop (IFS) ● At-Sea Monitoring (ASM)

The Northeast Fisheries Observer Program seaday sources: ● SBRM – Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (for fish and turtles) ● MMPA – Marine Mammal Protection Act Observer Service Providers Northeast Fisheries Observer Program ● AIS ● Federal 5-yr contract began 06/18 Industry Funded Scallop Observer Program ● Approved Providers: AIS, EWTS, Fathom Resources, MRAG ● Industry Funded w/Resource Set Aside At-Sea Monitoring Program ● Approved Providers: AIS, EWTS, Fathom Resources ● Industry Funded w/Subsidized Reimbursements to Sectors at 100% this year Seaday Accomplishments, 2018-2019 • 10,779 Seadays (3,858 trips) completed (Apr-Mar) • NEFOP: Completing 6,471 seadays (2,913 trips) (Apr-Mar) • 78% of all NEFOP tasked seadays were accomplished • 88% of the days needed to monitor fish discards were completed. • 38% of the days needed in addition to fish to monitor exclusively turtle discards. • IFS: Completing 3,344 seadays (573 trips) (Apr-Mar) ------• Groundfish: 2,186 seadays (1,077 ASM + 1,109 NEFOP) ~14% coverage (preliminary) (May-Apr)

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 7 NEFOP Seaday Schedule Tasked vs. Achieved: New England Region (Apr 2018 – Mar 2019)

600

500

400 2168

362 300 297 290 284 2003 200 232 221 204 200 199 177 176 171 169 153 151 148

145 100 126 97 94 90 87 57 41 0

Monthly Tasked Monthly Achieved NE Total Tasked NE Achieved NE Tasked

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 8 NEFOP Seaday Schedule Tasked vs. Achieved: Mid-Atlantic Region (Apr 2018 – Mar 2019)

600 5037 555

547 500 544 472 461

445 400 438 414 411 401 3218 384 300 337 299 297 297 286 281

252 200 241 208 205 167 159 154 100

0

Monthly Tasked Monthly Achieved Total Tasked Total Achieved M-A Total Tasked

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 11 Industry Funded Scallop Coverage (Apr 2018 – Mar 2019) Observed Target Achieved % of Target Area Observed Trips VMS Trips Seadays Coverage Coverage Achieved Limited Access Fleet Coverage Nantucket Lightship West 90 698 744 15% 12% 80% Nantucket Lightship South 42 328 367 15% 12% 73% MA/GB Open Areas Dredge 103 937 1154 12% 8% 75% CA I Dredge 56 420 550 10% 10% 100% MAAA Dredge 81 604 895 10% 9% 90% Limited Access Total: 372 2987 3710 General Category Fleet Nantucket Lightship West 47 97 902 5% 5% 100% Nantucket Lightship South 4 9 50 8% 8% 100% MA/GB Open Areas Dredge 98 159 2720 7% 4% 57% MA/GB Open Areas Trawl 0 0 27 7% 0% 0% CA I Dredge 20 35 560 8% 4% 50% MAAA Dredge 27 47 953 5% 3% 60% MAAA Trawl 5 10 153 5% 3% 60% General Category Total: 201 357 5365

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 10 Electronic Monitoring (Multispecies) ● EM implementation in the northeast multispecies fishery expected in 2021 ● EM models: ● Catch verification – “EM audit” ● Maximized retention – discard compliance ● Three EFPs issued in support of EM implementation: ● 100% EM: Vessels use EM on 100% of trips (15 vessels) ● ASM Replacement: EM used when selected for ASM coverage (5 vessels) ● Maximized Retention: EM on 100% of trips, landing obligation, DSM component (3 vessels) ● Goals: Develop EM for discard catch accounting in the groundfish fishery; incentivize eVTRs; refine fish handling protocols; inform a future audit-model program, test options for high- volume vessels, develop standards and protocols for at-sea operations; implement a 3rd party dockside monitoring program to support catch accounting shoreside

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 11 Electronic Monitoring (Herring - Mid-Water Trawl) • In April 2018, the New England Council approved EM, used in conjunction with portside sampling, as a monitoring option for midwater trawl vessels to satisfy IFM requirements in the Atlantic herring fishery. • NOAA Fisheries approved the New England IFM Omnibus Amendment in December 2018. • NOAA Fisheries seeks to implement IFM coverage in the Atlantic herring fishery in 2020, provided Federal funding is available to administer IFM coverage. • Initially, NOAA Fisheries will use an exempted fishing permit to allow vessels to monitor with EM and portside sampling. This will help evaluate how to best permanently administer an EM and portside sampling program in the Atlantic herring fishery. • The New England Council may consider establishing EM and portside sampling requirements in regulation when it revisits IFM requirements two years after implementation of the IFM Omnibus Amendment.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 12 FY 2019 Observer Funding– Detail

FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 Proportion to PPA/Detail funding ($ in thousands)* Enacted Enacted Enacted the NEFSC

Observers and Training (PPA) $43,655 $53,955 $53,955 $24,192 Atlantic Coast Observers 3,585 3,585 3,585 44.2% East Coast Observers 358 358 358 0% Hawaii Longline Observer Program 4,216 4,216 4,216 0% N. Pacific Marine Resources Observers 5,987 5,987 5,987 0% Northeast Fisheries Observers 8,838 19,138** 19,138** 100% National Observer Program 12,970 12,970 12,970 26% S. Atlantic/Gulf Shrimp Observers 1,881 1,881 1,881 0% West Coast Observers 5,165 5,165 5,165 0% Reducing Bycatch - Observers 655 655 655 14.9%

*Funding represents enacted levels, not final allocation amount to FMCs. ** $10.3 million increase in FY18 Omnibus for “Observers - At Sea Monitoring Program / Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology”; FY19 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress allocated specific funds to use for at-sea monitoring and directed NMFS to fully fund the at-sea monitoring program. SBRM Timelines and Products • For this 2019-2020 SBRM year: Data used in analysis: July 2017 – June 2018 10,158 seadays were used in the analysis Data Preparation: July 2018 – September 2018 Conduct Analysis and Report Writing: October 2018 – March 2019 Final Seaday Schedule (April 1, 2019-March 31, 2020): Released June, 2019 • Annual reports (publically available through NEFSC web site) • Annual discard report with observer sea day allocation • Discard estimation, precision and sample size analysis • New: Observer Sea Days by Trip Selection System • NEFOP Sea Day Schedule

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 14 Industry Funded Scallop Observer Compensation Rates and Coverage Targets, 2019 • The SBRM is met & exceeded by the IFS set asides. • 1% Set Aside, of the Total Acceptable Biological catch/annual catch limit • Compensation rates for Limited Access vessels are 250 lbs/Day At Sea for Access Area Trips, and 0.12 per Day At Sea in open areas. For LAGC IFQ vessels, it’s 250 lbs • Limited Access Coverage Targets: • 10% for Georges Bank open area • 10% for Mid-Atl. open area, Mid-Atl. access area (AA) and Nantucket Lightship- West (NLAA-W) • 15% for the Closed Area I • Additionally, LA General Category IFQ coverage rates at 5% for open areas, the Mid-Atl. AA, and NLAA-W, and 7.5% Closed Area I AA.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 15 Lobster Sampling Frame 2019

• SBRM framework action is not yet final • If the framework action is approved • Expand the sampling pool of lobster boats from not just the vessels required to submit VTR’s to all Federal permits • Result in more vessels sharing the requirement to take an observer, and less of a burden on specific vessels • This would not affect the overall number of seadays needed in the lobster fleets • It would take effect at the start of a quarter following approval

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 16 What you can read more about in 2019 SBRM Discard Report • Fleet changes - • Mid-Atlantic shrimp twinned trawl fleet will be monitored by the Southeast Region; • New England small mesh OPEN and Access area mid-water trawl fleets have been merged. • Importance Filters – to ensure coverage is not driven by imprecise estimates of small quantities • Removes seadays associated with fleets that contribute the smallest fraction of discards, and the smallest fraction of total mortality • Erroneous Fleets – i.e. incorrect fleet identification – resulting from VTR reporting errors • Practical Limitations – 5 fleets (floating trap, urchin dredge, etc.) – no sampling procedures in place

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 17 Observer Trainings Completed: • NEFOP Trainings (16 d) x 2 • Port Tour & Orientation (1 d) x 4 • High Volume Fisheries (2 d) • Pot & Trap Fisheries (2 d) • IFS (14 d) • ASM (12 d)

Upcoming: • June NEFOP to ASM Cross Training (5 d) • NEFOP Training (16 d) • July Port Tour & Orientation (1 d) • Safety II Training (2 d) • IFS Training (14 d) https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/fsb/training/2019_ FSB_Projected_Training_Schedule.pdf

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 18 Observer Safety Requirements • Safety checklist must be completed prior to departure (15-20 minutes) • Vessel safety orientation • Current US Coast Guard Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination Decal • Vessel’s required safety equipment: EPIRB, life raft, PFD/immersion suits, life rings, fire extinguisher, flares, radio, first aid material 5 expiration dates: EPIRB hydro release, registration & batteries; life raft hydro release & repacking • Vessel must pass checklist for observer to take trip • Vessel may not sail when selected for a trip • Observer safety training provided by Certified Safety Trainers (presentation posted on website) • Observer safety gear provided: immersion suit, PFD, inReach two-way communication; PLB USCG Commercial Fishing Vessel Examination decal required (CGAA of 2010, MSIB 18-14, and 50 CFR 600.746); USCG required safety orientation also (46 CFR 28.270)

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 19 The PTNS & SBRM fleet allocation for Groundfish Sectors

• Operational Change 2019 – The Pre-Trip Notification System has the ability to apply the seaday allocations to distinct SBRM fleets. • Due to the random nature of PTNS selection and the needed coverage to reach the precision target (30% CV), sectors may receive differential rates of applied SBRM coverage. • Result: Sectors may have differential rates of ASM coverage in order to meet the 31% combined ASM/SBRM target sector coverage rate.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 20 Observer Safety Program Review - 2018

● National initiative to identify areas and ways to improve the safety of fisheries observers and maintain high data quality standards. ● Preparing observers for safe deployments requires an active partnership between NOAA Fisheries (including our Office of Law Enforcement), observers, observer providers, the US Coast Guard, and the fishing industry. ● Contracted a team of four experts to conduct a thorough review of current observer safety policies and procedures who in turn produced the Observer Safety Program Review report. ● Found national and regional observer safety programs in the United States to be robust, mature, and effective. ● Developed an Action Plan for implementing recommendations. Observer Retention Study – 2019 ● Federal managers analyze information from fisheries observers to pinpoint reasons for the high rate of turnover. ● Asked 553 observers why they did the job and what they have experienced. ● Three-quarters of them thought the job helped them in their careers. ● 69% said the days at sea matched their expectations. ● Nearly half them reported being harassed. ● Only 20% (1 out of 5) said they felt valued by the fishing community. ● Many said they were disappointed by a lack of opportunity to learn more about science and management. ● Most cite a chance for fieldwork as a major motivation for taking the job, but relatively low pay, lack of a predictable schedule and distance from home leads them to seek other employment. References ● Observer Safety Program Review Page: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/fisheries-observers/observer- safety-program-review ● National Observer Program’s NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/SPO- 186 entitled, 2016 Fishery Observer Attitudes and Experiences Survey. Released April, 2019: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/fisheries- observers/noaa-releases-nationwide-survey-observer-attitudes-and- experiences NE Observer Program Outreach Events in FY2019

Delaware Coast Day East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s & Aquaculture October 7, Lewes, DE Trade Expo January 18-20, Ocean City, MD Commercial Marine Expo (Cancelled - Furlough) October 17-18, Providence, RI Maine Fishermen’s Forum Port Outreach – Long Island fishing ports February 28 – March 2, Rockport, ME November 7-9, Long Island, NY Virginia Outreach NEFOP Observer Port Tour March 5, Chincoteague & VA Beach, VA November 7, 2018, Point Judith, RI NEFSC Protected Species/NEPA Training November 8, 2018, Montauk/Hampton Bays, NY March 6, Tech Park, Falmouth, MA NEFOP Program Outreach February 28, Sandy Hook, NJ April 11, University of CT, Groton, CT March 1, Point Pleasant, NJ Industry Feedback Session (Safety Checklist) Professional Shadow Day May 10, Durham, NH November 28, Tech Park, Falmouth, MA Sandy Hook Open House / Ocean Fun Days Observer Safety Training shadowing National Observer Program May 18 & 19, Sandy Hook, NJ November 28, Tech Park, Falmouth, MA Industry Feedback Session (Vessel Selection) May 30, Ocean City, MD Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association Annual Meeting R/V Gloria Michelle Outreach Event January 18-20, Hyannis, MA (Cancelled - Furlough) June 14, Nantucket, MA Coming Soon: Observer Policy Handbooks ● Cohesive, easy-to-read and visually aesthetic operations handbook ● For multiple audiences: prospective and current fishery observers, observer service providers, data users, fishermen, managers, and other interested stakeholders. Resources for Prospective and Current Resources for Captains, Crew, Owners, & Sector Managers Observers and Provider Companies What to know before taking a fishing trip Getting Involved in the Observer Program Notification and how trips are selected How to become an observer Fishery Specific Policies and Pre-Trip Notification Guides How to become a provider What to expect during a fishing trip Information on Current Providers Letter of Introduction Becoming a Certified Observer Vessel selection letter Training Duties and responsibilities Training standards What to expect after a fishing trip Observer training certifications Feedback and evaluation processes Program standards Fishermen’s comment cards Training course/Welcome Packets Captain interview questions After the training course Data release form Information for Certified Observers FAQs for the Fishing Industry https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/fsb/ Thank You!

Handouts Provided on the Council Table: • NEFOP Insurance Coverage • U.S. Coast Guard Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination Program • OLE has Zero Tolerance for Observer Harassment • Vessel Selection Methods • Fishermen’s Comment Card • Observer Coverage in the Mid-Atlantic