WCGOP: West Coast Groundfish Observer Program

Northwest Fisheries Science Center

2725 Montlake Boulevard East

Seattle, Washington 98112-2097

Phone (206) 860-3381

FAX (206) 860-3394

July 12, 2012

Re: Observer Coverage for FISHERY NAME

ADDRESS

Dear Mr. :

As you know, a mandatory observer program for West Coast groundfish was established by federal regulations that went into effect on May 24, 2001 (50 C.F.R. Part 660). Copies of the regulations for this program are attached.

Under the authority of these regulations, your vessel with vessel identification number, VESSEL ID #V, has been selected for observer coverage during the two-month period beginning START OF TWO-MONTH PERIOD. During the period for which your permit is selected, you will be required to notify NMFS at least 24 hours in advance of fishing so that an observer may accompany the trip. If you notify us that you do not plan to fish West Coast Open Access at any time during this period, you will be placed on a pending list. Once you have been placed on this pending list, you MUST NOT resume fishing in the West Coast Open Access fishery until you have notified us. A NMFS coordinator or designated agent can provide further information to you.

Prior to the date that the permit has been selected for observer coverage, the vessel registered to the permit, must obtain a Coast Guard safety inspection decal through a dockside examination. These can be obtained through your local US Coast Guard.

You are responsible for providing accommodations and food for the observer while he/she is aboard your vessel. Please review the “Observer Insurance Coverage Provided by Observer Contractor” overview that lists the minimum insurance requirements that the observer’s employer provides. We strongly encourage each vessel to contact their insurance carrier to discuss their liability while an observer is aboard and determine if purchasing additional insurance is appropriate.

The observer can share the collected data with the permit owner only. If you are interested in having a copy of the data collected, please ask the observer after completing the trip.

The enclosed document entitled “Paperwork Reduction Act Information” informs you of your rights under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The PRA requires federal agencies to obtain clearance in order to ask questions of members of the public. All questions asked by west coast groundfish observers have been approved under OMB Control No. 0648-0593 through 09/30/2012. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and implementing regulations, you are required to answer any question related to observer and vessel safety. However, you are not required to answer any other question asked by the observer. Your voluntary willingness to answer all questions asked by observers would be appreciated as it will ensure observer data collected on your vessel can be used in future analyzes.

The observer program can be contacted toll free at (866) 780-8064, or you can send questions to the program’s email address at NWFSC.observerprogram@noaa.gov. Please contact us with any questions you may have

Sincerely,

Janell Majewski

Program Lead, West Coast Groundfish Observer Program

cc: F/NWR02 - F. Lockhart

Selection cycle January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012