Regional Electronic Monitoring and Reporting (EM/ER) Implementation Plan

SAFMC Ponte Vedra, FL June 12, 2014

www.thoriumvms.com Scott Baker, NC Sea Grant

Scott Baker, NC Sea Grant

www.elementalmobile.com

Purpose and Need for Implementation Plan • Increasing interest and need for more accurate and

timely data • Intended to provide an operational strategy for

implementing and expanding the use of EM/ER

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2

Technical Subcommittee

Successful EM/ER Implementation

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3

Technical Subcommittee

Successful EM/ER

program Clearly Defined

Objectives

Council/ Stakeholder

input

Identify challenges impeding

implementation Process and timeline for

implementation

Review

Industry support

Costs/ infastructure

Insufficient regulations

Size and extent of

fleets

Calibration with old methods

Multiple data collection partners Key

Challenges

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4

Others?

Contents of Plan • Regional (S. Atl, Gulf, Carib.)

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5

Objectives of monitoring

regime

Technological Capabilities

Identify fisheries suitable

for EM/ER

Regulatory changes needed

Process for evaluating progress

Costs and funding sources

Challenges impeding implementation www.elementalmobile.com

Council Input

• Seeking input from S. Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean Councils

• Conference calls held with each Council in late April

• Letters sent to each Council in early May

• Input requested from Council by June 30th

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6

Council Input

• Council staff person and Council member - serve on EM/ER plan committee

• Review of draft plan (Sept-Dec) oAdvisory panels oPublic input at future Council meetings

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 7

Implementation Plan Questions

• What are the Council’s primary objectives for increasing use of EM/ER?

• Where do you see the greatest deficiencies with existing data collection programs?

• Which fisheries are suitable for ER? EM? oPrioritize list of fisheries/sectors/gears

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 8

Implementation Plan Questions

• What challenges are hindering EM/ER implementation in your region?

• Are regulations precluding use of EM/ER?

• What factors are most important for requiring use of EM/ER? (Costs, data timeliness, accuracy, ease of use, etc)

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 9

Implementation Plan Questions

• In what instances is it appropriate (or not appropriate) to require VMS? Onboard camera systems?

• What factors should NMFS consider when evaluating implementation plan progress?

• Other recommendations?

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 10

Next Steps

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 11

• Letters requesting Council input mailed in May

• Obtain input from Councils during June/July

• Prepare draft plan (July-Sept)

• Convene NMFS/Council committee, as needed (Aug-Sept)

• Draft plan finalized in Sept; distributed for public input

• Complete final plan by Dec 2014

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 12