NOAA Keeps Electronic Eyes on West Coast Fish Trawlers
Published Date: 12/12/2025
Notice
Summary
The government is renewing its approval to collect info from West Coast groundfish trawl fishery operators using electronic monitoring. This affects about 866 people, including vessel owners, captains, and service providers, who spend time submitting reports and applications. The goal is to keep tracking fish catches while making sure the paperwork isn’t too heavy, with public comments open for 30 more days.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
866 people face paperwork and time burden
About 866 vessel owners, captains, and electronic monitoring (EM) service providers must submit applications, reports, and other paperwork for the West Coast groundfish trawl EM program. The collection totals 3,651 annual burden hours and lists specific average times (for example: captain training 1.5 hr; logbook 0.17 hr; vessel owner final application 6.3 hr; EM unit/installation 4 hr; EM service provider EM service plan 40 hr). You must complete these forms because they are required to obtain or retain the ability to use EM under the program.
EM can replace 100% human observer coverage
Vessels in the Pacific coast groundfish trawl catch-share program may use electronic monitoring (EM) — video plus sensors reviewed onshore — instead of the program's 100% human observer requirement. NMFS says EM can provide a cost-effective alternative for monitoring catch and fishing effort and supports fishery catch accounting under 50 CFR 660 subpart J.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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