Dan Hull, Chairman
Chris Oliver, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Title
Observer Lead Level 2 - Final action
end
STAFF CONTACT: Diana Evans
ACTION REQUIRED: recommended action
Review analysis for final action.
BACKGROUND:
At this meeting, the Council will review the Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) evaluating the costs and benefits of alternatives to address the potential for a shortage of fixed-gear lead level 2 (LL2) observers for deployment on freezer longline vessels. The majority of freezer longline vessels operate under monitoring requirements that require them to have at-sea scales and carry a single LL2 observer onboard at all times when the Pacific cod fishery is open in the BSAI. Vessel owners and observer coverage providers have reported challenges with LL2 observer availability, the consequence of which can be that the vessel must delay fishing (with attendant cost).
In April 2017, the Council selected a preliminary preferred alternative to address potential shortage of LL2 observers by creating additional opportunities for observers to gain the necessary experience to become endorsed as a LL2. The analysis has also been expanded to apply the preliminary preferred alternative to all fixed gear vessels that have a LL2 requirement.