50 C.F.R. 50 CFR--PART 679
Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
Effective Date(s): January 20, 2008 6. In §679.50, paragraph (c)(6) is added to read as follows: * * * * * (c) * * * (6) Catcher/processors 125 ft (38.1m) LOA or longer and not listed in §679.4(l)(2)(i) using trawl gear in the BSAI—(i) Coverage requirement. The owner or operator of a catcher/processor 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA or longer using trawl gear and not listed in §679.4(l)(2)(i) must provide at least two level 2 NMFS-certified observers, at least one of which must be certified as a lead level 2 observer, for each day that the vessel is used to harvest or process groundfish in the BSAI. More than two observers are required if the observer workload restriction at paragraph (c)(6)(ii) of this section would otherwise preclude sampling as required under §679.27(j)(3) and §679.7(m)(3). NMFS may authorize the vessel to carry only one lead level 2 observer if the vessel owner or operator supplies vessel logbook or observer data that demonstrate that one level 2 observer can complete sampling, data recording, and data communication duties within the workload requirements described in §679.50(c)(6)(ii) under an alternative processing plan. NMFS will not authorize an alternative processing plan with only one lead level 2 observer if it would require the observer to divide a 12-hour shift into shifts of less than 6 hours. (ii) Observer work load. The time required for the observer to complete sampling, data recording, and data communication duties must not exceed 12 consecutive hours in each 24-hour period. * * * * *
Amendment from April 06, 2006
50 CFR--PART 679
Amendment(s) published April 6, 2006, in 71 FR 17382
§ 679.50 Groundfish Observer Program (applicable through December 31, 2007).
