Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Extend the Interim Groundfish Observer Program Through December 31, 2007, and Amend Regulations for the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program

NMFS issues a final rule to extend the applicability date of the existing regulations for the interim North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program), which otherwise expire December 31, 2002, through 2007. This final rule also amends regulations governing the Observer Program. These changes clarify and improve observer certification and decertification processes; change the duties and responsibilities of observers and observer providers to eliminate ambiguities and strengthen the regulations; and grant NMFS the authority to place NMFS staff and other qualified persons aboard vessels and at shoreside or floating stationary plants to increase NMFS' ability to interact effectively with observers, fishermen, and processing plant employees. These parts of the action are necessary to improve Observer Program support of the management objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMPs) for those industry sectors already subject to such requirements. The intended effect is better managed fishery resources that result in the effective conservation of marine resources and habitat.