NOAA Fisheries announces that, in fishing year 2022, the electronic monitoring (EM) video footage review rate for the audit model program will be 35 percent for experienced vessels and 50 percent for vessels that are new to EM.
Experienced vessels are defined as vessels that participated in the EM program while it operated under an exempted fishing permit (EFP) and took a minimum of one sector trip in the operational audit model program in fishing year 2021. Experienced vessels have multiple years of experience with EM and the associated catch handling and reporting requirements. Vessels that are newer to the audit model will remain at the 50 percent video footage review rate in 2022 to allow more opportunities for feedback on their catch handling and reporting performance. For more information, please read our letter to the New England Fishery Management Council.
Congress has allocated funds which allow us to reimburse industry for the at-sea costs associated with sector monitoring programs. This includes human at-sea monitors and electronic monitoring, including the costs to purchase and install an electronic monitoring system and review of video footage. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will continue to administer the reimbursement program for Fishing Year 2022.
