The Foreign Fishing Observer Program: Management Improvements Needed
RCED-85-110
Published: Aug 12, 1985. Publicly Released: Aug 19, 1985.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) management of the Foreign Fishing Observer Program, including: (1) the process the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) follows to develop program costs for budgeting and billing purposes; (2) the issue of health and safety conditions on foreign fishing vessels; (3) the use of observer-generated information; and (4) the use of contract observers in the Northwest and Alaska program.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should amend the Magnuson Act to authorize sanctions against inadequate foreign fishing vessels. |
Closed – Implemented
|
On May 26, 1986, a bill, H.R. 4897, was introduced that would amend the Magnuson Act to provide authority to suspend a foreign fishing vessels' permit to fish in U.S. waters if safety standards are not met. The bill was passed as part of P.L. 99-659. NOAA recently completed draft regulations to implement the new authority, which was placed in the Federal Register in November 1987. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Commerce | The Secretary of Commerce should request legislative authority to: (1) provide sufficient working capital to capitalize the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund; (2) to permit NMFS to pursue a full-coverage program from the beginning of each fiscal year; and (3) use a billing system based on actual costs. |
Closed – Not Implemented
During FY 1988, all observer deployments were made under the supplemental program or contract to private firms. Under this program, private firms bill the foreign fishing firms directly. Foreign fishing also decreased in FY 1988. These two factors eliminated the need for implementation of this recommendation. NMFS does not intend to resubmit the legislation.
|
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | If the Observer Fund is provided working capital, the Administrator, NOAA, should: (1) implement a billing system based on actual costs; and (2) develop an information package on the billing process and procedures that would be responsive to most of the questions raised by the foreign fishing interests about their observer fee bills and program costs. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Since the recommendation for capitalizing the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund, there is no longer any need for a billing system.
|
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | The Administrator, NOAA, should: (1) establish a time frame for NMFS to develop appropriate criteria to judge the adequacy of safety and health conditions on foreign fishing vessels that want to fish in the U.S. fishery conservation zone; and (2) provide the basis for imposing sanctions against such vessels for inadequate safety or health conditions. |
Closed – Implemented
In June 1986, NOAA completed a basic set of health and safety guidelines for observers to use to judge conditions on foreign fishing vessels. Subsequently, P.L. 99-659 was passed, giving authority to impose sanctions against operators of unhealthly or unsafe foreign fishing vessels. NOAA completed regulations to implement the new authority to impose sanctions.
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Topics
Accounting systemsBilling proceduresBiological researchFishery legislationMarine resources conservationMonitoringOccupational health standardsProgram managementFishing industryCoast Guard personnel