Common use of Program Goal Clause in Contracts

Program Goal. The goal of the audit model EM program is to use cameras to validate the groundfish discards reported on a vessel’s eVTR for use in catch accounting. Audit Model EM Program Description Attached is a description of the Audit Model EM program. A sector utilizing the Audit Model EM program must append the following language to their sector operations plan. Description of the Audit-Model Process Under this model, the vessel operator and crew adhere to catch handling protocols for all sector EM trips (based on whether the vessel has an approved VMP for a given gear type). The vessel operator and crew hold groundfish discards on a measuring board and under a camera prior to discarding, and discard other species in view of cameras at designated discard control points. The vessel operator estimates the total weight of groundfish discards on an eVTR, and submits the video footage to the EM service provider. The EM service provider reviews trips selected for audit and develops an independent estimate of groundfish discards for the trip. The EM data is compared to the eVTR for the purposes of catch accounting. During each sector EM trip taken by a vessel, the EM system records all fishing activity onboard the vessel. The vessel captain and crew sort, measure, and discard fish within view of the cameras and in accordance with catch handling protocols. The captain and crew must adhere to the following catch handling requirements: • Legal-size groundfish must be kept and sublegal-size groundfish must be discarded, consistent with regulations; • Sublegal-size and unallocated groundfish must be sorted by species and measured (e.g., on a measuring board) within view of cameras prior to being returned to the sea. A more complete description of measuring protocols is included in the VMP guidance template. VMP measuring protocols may vary by vessel. • Groundfish flounders must be placed on a measuring strip on both the dorsal and ventral sides to ensure proper identification. If flatfish are grouped by species and measures, only the first five fish should be measured on both sides for identification; • When discarding wolffish, the vessel operator or crew member may opt not to measure the fish if doing so would present a safety risk; and • If the vessel encounters a high volume of discards, the captain and crew may employ: