EM Service Plan Guidelines

2021 West Coast
Groundfish Electronic
Monitoring Program

Electronic Monitoring Service
Plan Guidelines

Section 1: Introduction

Section 1.1 West Coast Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Program
In 2011, NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) implemented a catch share program for the West Coast
Groundfish Trawl Fishery. The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery's Trawl Catch Share
Program, also called the Trawl Rationalization Program, consists of an Individual Fishing
Quota (IFQ) Program for the shorebased trawl fleet and cooperative programs for the atsea mothership and catcher/processor trawl fleets.
The catch share program divides the amount of catch allocated to the trawl fishery into
shares controlled by individual fishermen or groups of fishermen (cooperatives). Under
this program, fishermen have more flexibility for harvesting their catch than under the
previous management structure.

The Trawl Rationalization Program requires 100 percent monitoring at-sea and dockside
in order to ensure accountability for all landings and discards of allocated species.
Catcher processors and motherships are required to carry two observers at all times,
depending on the length of the vessel, and catcher vessels are required to carry one
observer, including while in port until all fish are offloaded. In addition, first receivers,
which are processors that are licensed to receive IFQ landings, are required to have catch
monitors to monitor 100-percent of IFQ offloads. Vessel owners and first receivers are
responsible for obtaining and funding catch share observers and catch monitors as a
necessary condition of their participation in the program. Beginning in 2021, electronic
monitoring (EM) may be used by catcher vessels an alternative to meet the requirement
for 100 percent monitoring at-sea.

Section 2: EM Service Provider
Permit

A valid EM service povider permit is required to provide EM services for vessels
authorized to use EM systems in the Trawl Rationalization Program. Generally, the
responsibilities of an EM service provider are to (see 50 CFR 660.603(a)):
•
•

•
•

Operate under a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan.
Provide and manage EM systems, field services, and technical assistance to
contracted fishing vessels.
Provide technical and litigation information to NMFS or its agent.
Provide technical support to contracted fishing vessels 24-hour per day, seven
days per week, and year-round.

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•
•

Provide EM data processing, reporting, and record retention services to
contracted vessels using EM.
Comply with data integrity and security requirements, including requirements
pertaining to hard drives and data files containing EM data.

A provider may meet some requirements of the EM program through a partnership or
subcontract with another entity. To apply for an EM service provider permit, a person
must submit a complete application to the NMFS West Coast Region Fisheries Permit
Office that includes the following information:
•
•

An EM Provider Permit Application Form
An EM Service Plan

More information about these requirements is provided in the following sections. An
applicant may submit an application at any time. If a new EM service provider, or an
existing EM service provider seeking to deploy a new EMS or software version, submits
an application by June 1, NMFS will issue a new permit by January 1 of the following
calendar year for completed applications that address all of the required components.
Applications submitted after June 1 will be processed as soon as practicable. NMFS will
only process complete applications.
After submitting an application, NMFS may request additional information or revisions
from the applicant until NMFS is satisfied that the application is complete. Such
information may include but not be limited to:
•
•

•
•
•
•

Two EM system units loaded with software for a minimum of 90 calendar days
for testing and evaluation.
Thorough documentation for the EM system, including: User manuals, any
necessary interfacing software, performance specifications, technical support
information, and tamperproof or tamper evident features.
The results of at-sea trials of the EM system.
Two copies of video review and analysis software for a minimum of 90 calendar
days for testing and evaluation.
Thorough documentation for the video review and analysis software, including:
User manuals, performance specifications, and technical support information.
Descriptions of database models and analysis procedures for EM data and
associated meta data to produce required reports.

The process for review of EM service provider applications is described in more detail in
Section 2.3.

Section 2.1 EM Provider Permit Application Form

To be considered for an EM service provider permit and endorsement, the service
provider must submit a complete EM Provider Permit Application. This application may
be filled out and submitted online at this link. New users will need to create a registered
user account in order to access the online application. You will be asked to provide the
following information in the online application. Please note that the same information
must be included for any partners or subcontractors if the applicant intends to satisfy

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any of the EM service provider requirements through a partnership or contractual
relationship with another entity.

Section A. Applicant Information
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Legal Name of Applicant
Tax Identification Number (TIN) if business or Date of Birth (DOB) if person
State Registered In (if a U.S. business)
Business Mailing Address
Business Phone Number
Business Fax Number (optional)
Business Email

Section B. List of Owners, Board Members, Officers, Authorized Agents, and
Employees
1. List Names, DOB or TIN, and Role in Applicant Organization for all.

Section C. Supplemental Information

In Section C, Supplemental Information, you will be asked to upload documents
containing the following information.

1. Describe the management and structure of the applicant organization. At a
minimum, such description should provide the general functional responsibilities
of various staff, all office locations and their business addresses, business phone
number, fax number and email addresses. Also, if a corporation attach articles of
incorporation or if a partnership, attach the partnership agreement.
2. A narrative statement describing prior relevant experience in providing EM
services, technical support, or fishery data analysis services, including recruiting,
hiring, training, deploying, and managing of individuals in marine work
environments and of individuals working with fishery data, in the groundfish
fishery or other fisheries of similar scale.
3. An EM Service Plan that describes in detail how the applicant will provide EM
services to the fishery sufficient to provide NMFS with the best scientific
information available to determine individual accountability for catch, including
discards, of IFQ species and compliance with requirements of the Shorebased IFQ
Program (§660.140) and MS Coop Program (§660.150). EM Program Guidelines
containing best practices for EM Service Plans are available on NMFS’s website:
http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/groundfish_catch_shares/ele
ctronic_monitoring.html.

In Section C, you will also be asked to agree to provide NMFS the following, if requested:
•

•

Two EM system units loaded with software for a minimum of 90 calendar days
for testing and evaluation.
Thorough documentation for the EM system, including: user manuals, any
necessary interfacing software, performance specifications, technical support
information, and tamperproof or tamper evident features.

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•
•
•

The results of at-sea trials of the EM system.
Two copies of video review and analysis software for a minimum of 90 calendar
days for testing and evaluation.
Thorough documentation for the video review and analysis software, including:
user manuals, performance specifications, and technical support information.

Section D. Conflict of Interest, Criminal Convictions, Negative Performance
Ratings on Federal Contracts, and Decertification

In Section D, you will be asked to attest with respect to conflicts of interest, criminal
convictions, negative performance ratings on federal contracts, and decertifications. The
statement will read:
“Under penalty of perjury, I either Affirm or Do Not Affirm as specified below, that all
owners, board members, officers, authorized agents, and employees, are free from the
following:
•
•
•
•

Conflict of interest as described in 50 CFR §660.18(c)(3).
Criminal convictions.
Any previous Federal contract with an unsatisfactory performance rating.
Any previous decertification action while working as an observer provider, catch
monitor provider, or EM provider.”

If you cannot affirm any of these statements or are unsure, check “Do Not Affirm” and
attach to the application relevant information to enable NMFS to make a decision.

Section E. Certification of Applicant

In Section E, Certification of Applicant, you will be asked to attest to the completeness
and accuracy of the application and that the applicant is willing and able to comply with
all applicable requirements of the EM Program and to operate under a NMFS-accepted
EM Service Plan. The language will read as follows:

“Under penalties of perjury, I hereby declare that I, the undersigned, am authorized to
certify this application on behalf of the applicant and completed this form, and the
information contained herein is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge
and belief. I also certify that the EM service provider is willing and able to comply with all
applicable requirements of the EM Program as specified at 50 CFR Part 660 Subpart J and
to operate under a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan.”

Section 2.2 EM Service Plan
As part of an application for an EM service provider pemit and endorsement, a service
provider must develop and submit an EM Service Plan (EMSP) that describes in detail
how the applicant will provide EM services for vessels. NMFS has developed this EM
Program Guidelines document to assist EM service providers with developing an EMSP
that meets the requirements of the EM Program as laid out in the regulations at
§660.603. The Guidelines describe the requirments for EM service providers, the
required elements of the EMSP, as well as best practices, recommendations, and other

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information that NMFS will use to evaluate proposed EMSPs and to evaluate the
performance of EM service providers in meeting the regulations to achive the purpose of
the EM Program. Specific requirements and standards for EM data processing, reporting,
and other services are contained in the EM Program Manual on NMFS’s website. The
EMSP need only address the regulations at §660.603; additional best practices and
recommendations in this document are only examples of how the EM service provider
may meet the requirements. If the provider does not utilize the recommended best
practices or procedures, the EM service provider should explain in its EMSP how it
would otherwise meet the EM Program requirements. An EM service provider may
propose alternative, but equivalent methods to any of the recommendations in this
document in their EMSP, and NMFS may consider and approve those methods if they
achieve the purpose of the EM program as defined at 50 CFR §660.600(b).
Please include the following sections and information in your EMSP. At the time of initial
application or renewal, the EM Program Coordinator and NMFS staff will review your
EMSP to ensure that it is complete and addresses all of the required components.

Section A. EM Service Provider Information

1. The EMSP should include the name, address, phone number, and email address
of the EM service provider to identify the entity to which the EMSP belongs.
2. The regulations require that the EMSP include “contact information for a primary
point of contact for program operations inseason” (see §660.603(b)(1)(vii)(A)).
This should be the person, such as the project manager, that NMFS would call
with questions regarding installations, vessel monitoring plans, service events,
technical issues, data analysis, reports, and other program logistics during the
year.

Section B. Program Management

1. The regulations specify that the EMSP describe “procedures for hiring and
training of competent program staff to carryout EM field services and data
services, including procedures to maintain the skills of EM data processing staff
in:
• Use of data processing software;
• Species identification;
• Fate determination and metadata reporting requirements;
• Data processing procedures;
• Data tracking; and,
• Reporting and data upload procedures” (see §660.603(b)(1)(vii)(C).

The EM service provider can meet this requirement by having and describing in
the EMSP:
•

Minimum qualifications for EM technicians, EM data analysts, and other
staff that may handle hard drives/EM data, process EM data, or generate
reports.

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•

EM technician and EM data analyst recruitment/hiring procedures
including provider’s interview process, review of educational
background, and background checks.
• A training program for staff in providing EM field and data services,
including certification of program staff to work on EM equipment and
procedures to maintain the skills of EM data processing staff in:
• Use of data processing software;
• Species identification;
• Fate determination and metadata reporting requirements;
• Data processing procedures;
• Data tracking; and,
• Reporting and data upload procedures.
• Procedures for tracking performance and responding to identified poor
performance by an EM technician, EM data analyst, or other staff that
handle hard drives/EM data and reports.
If the EM service provider does not have these procedures, the EM service
provider should explain how it would otherwise provide field and data services
that meet the purpose of the EM program.
2. The regulations require that an EM service provider notify NMFS within 24 hours
after the EM service provider becomes aware of any information, allegations, or
reports regarding possible harassment of EM provider staff (see
§660.603(l)(5)(i)). The EMSP should describe the provider’s procedures for
tracking, reporting to NMFS, and responding to identified harassment of EM
provider staff. More information about what NMFS defines as harassment and
how to report it is contained in the EM Program Manual.
3. The regulations require an EM service provider to notify NMFS within 24 hours
after the EM service provider becomes aware of any information, allegations, or
reports regarding EM service provider staff conflicts of interest (see
§660.603(l)(5)(iv)). The EMSP should describe provider’s procedures for
tracking, reporting to NMFS, and responding to identified EM provider staff
conflicts of interest. The regulations define a conflict of interest as “a direct
financial interest, other than the provision of observer, catch monitor, EM, or
other biological sampling services, in any federal or state managed fisheries,
including but not limited to:
• Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a vessel,
first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary processor facility
involved in the catching, taking, harvesting or processing of fish;
• Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any vessel, first
receiver, shorebased or floating stationary processing facility; or
• Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products from
any vessel, first receiver, shorebased or floating stationary processing
facilities” (see (see §660.603(h)).
In addition, “EM service providers and their employees must not solicit or accept,
directly or indirectly, any gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, employment,
or anything of monetary value from any person who conducts fishing or fish

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processing activities that are regulated by NMFS, or who has interests that may
be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the
provider's contractual duties. The EM service provider may not employ any
person to handle hard drives or EM data from a vessel by which the person was
previously employed in the last two years. Provisions of contracts or agreements
for remuneration of EM services … do not constitute a conflict of interest” (see
§660.603(h)). More information about how to report a conflict of interest to
NMFS is in the EM Program Manual.

4. The regulations require that the EM service provider “must ensure the integrity
and security of vessels' EM data and other records specified in [§660 Subpart J].
The EM service provider and its employees:
• Must not handle or transport hard drives or other medium containing EM
data except to carry out EM services required by this section in
accordance with a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan.
• Must not write to or modify any EM hard drive or other medium that
contains EM data before it has been copied and catalogued.
• Must not release a vessel's EM data and other records specified in this
section (including documents containing such data and observations or
summaries thereof) except to NMFS and authorized officers as provided
in §660.603(m)(6), or as authorized by the owner or operator of the
vessel” (see §660.603(n)).
In the EMSP, the EM service provider is required to describe its “policies on data
access, handling, and release to prevent unauthorized disclosure of EM data and
other records specified in this section by the EM provider as required under
§660.603(n)” (see §660.603(b)(1)(vii)(G)).

Section C. EM System and Software

1. The regulations require that the EMSP describe the “identifying characteristics of
the EMS [(EM system)] to be deployed and the video review software to be used
in the fishery, including but not limited to: manufacturer, brand name, model
name, model number, software version and date, firmware version number and
date, hardware version number and date, monitor/terminal number and date,
pressure sensor model number and date, drum rotation sensor model number
and date, and GPS model number and date” (see §660.603(b)(1)(vii)(I)).
2. The EMSP must also describe the “EM system and software specifications,
including a narrative statement describing how the EM system and associated
equipment meets the performance standards at §660.604(j)” (see
§660.603(b)(1)(vii)(J). As stated at §660.604(j), “the specifications (e.g., image
resolution, frame rate, user interface) and configuration of an EM system and
associated equipment (e.g., number and placement of cameras, lighting) used to
meet the requirements of this section must be sufficient to:
a. Allow easy and complete viewing, identification, and quantification, of
catch items discarded at sea, including during low light conditions;
b. Continuously record vessel location (latitude/longitude coordinates),
velocity, course, and sensor data (i.e, hydraulic and winch activity);

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c. Allow the identification of the time, date, and location of a haul/set or
discard event;
d. Record and store image data from all hauls/sets and the duration that
fish are onboard the vessel until offloading begins;
e. Continuously record and store raw sensor data (i.e., GPS and gear
sensors) for the entire fishing trip;
f. Prevent radio frequency interference (RFI) with vessel monitoring
systems (VMS) and other equipment;
g. Allow the vessel operator to test and monitor the functionality of the EM
system prior to and during the fishing trip to ensure it is fully functional;
h. Prevent tampering or, if tampering does occur, show evidence of
tampering; and,
i. Provide image and sensor data in a format that enables their integration
for analysis.”
NMFS has provided recommended features for EM units in Appendix A.
3. Per the regulations at §660.603(l)(3)(i), “if the technologies have previously
been subject to scrutiny in a court of law, provide a brief summary of the
litigation and any court findings on the reliability of the technology.”

Section D. Field and Technical Support Services

The EM service provider is required to provide various field and technical support
services to contracted vessels, described at §660.603(k).

“(k) Field and technical support services. The EM service provider must provide
and manage EM systems, installation, maintenance and technical support, as
described below and according to a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan, which is
required under §660.603(b)(1)(vii), and as described in the EM Program Manual
or other written and oral instructions provided by the EM Program, such that the
EM program achieves its purpose as defined at §660.600(b).
(1) At the time of installation, the EM service provider must:

(i) Install an EM system that meets the performance standards under
§660.604(j);

(ii) Ensure that the EM system is set up, wires run, system powered, and
tested with the vessel in operation;

(iii) Brief the vessel operator on system operation, maintenance, and
procedures to follow for technical support or field service;

(iv) Provide necessary information for the vessel operator to complete
the VMP, such as images and diagrams of camera views and vessel layout,
specific information about system settings, and designated discard
control points; and,
(v) Complete an EM System Certification Form for the vessel owner.

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(2) The EM service provider must communicate with vessel operators and NMFS
to coordinate service needs, resolve specific program issues, and provide
feedback on program operations.

(3) The EM service provider must provide maintenance and support services,
including maintaining an EM equipment inventory, such that all deployed EM
systems perform according to the performance standards at §660.604(j) and that
field service events are scheduled and carried out with minimal delays or
disruptions to fishing activities."

(4) The EM service provider must provide technical assistance to vessels, upon
request, in EM system operation, the diagnosis of the cause of malfunctions, and
assistance in resolving any malfunctions. Technical support must be available 24hours per day, seven days per week, and year-round.

(5) The EM service provider must submit to NMFS reports of requests for
technical assistance from vessels, including when the call or visit was made, the
nature of the issue, and how it was resolved.”

1. The EMSP must describe procedures for communicating with individual vessel
operators and NMFS to coordinate field services, provide technical support and other
assistance, and to communicate feedback on vessel operations, as described above.
2. The EMSP must also describe the plan for provision of field and technical services
including service locations, response timelines, equipment inventories, and
procedures for installations, service visits, repairs, technical support, and other
program services required of an EM service provider as described above.
3. To meet the requirements regarding timely and efficient field services at
§660.603(k)(3), NMFS recommends that the EM service provider maintain
appropriate inventory levels to service vessels as problems occur (e.g., 10% pool),
conduct periodic stock inventories, maintain a list of component suppliers and stock
availabilities, order stock as necessary, and monitor shipping/receiving and
movements of inventory.

Section E. Data Services

The EM service provider is required to provide various data services, such as review of
EM data, reporting of data to NMFS, and storage of EM data and records, for vessels with
which it has a contract, as described at §660.603(m).

“(m) Data services. For vessels with which it has a contract (see §660.604(k)), the
EM service provider must provide and manage EM data processing, reporting,
and record retention services, as described below and according to a NMFSapproved EM Service Plan, which is required under §660.603(b)(1)(vii), and as
described in the EM Program Manual or other written and oral instructions
provided by the EM Program, and such that the EM Program achieves its purpose
as defined at §660.600(b).
(1) The EM service provider must process vessels' EM data according to a
prescribed coverage level or sampling scheme, as specified by NMFS, and
determine an estimate of discards for each trip using standardized estimation

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methods specified by NMFS. NMFS will maintain manuals for EM data processing
protocols on its website.
(2) The EM service provider must ensure that its data processing staff are fully
trained in:
(i) Use of data processing software;
(ii) Species identification;

(iii) Fate determination and metadata reporting requirements;
(iv) Data processing procedures;
(v) Data tracking; and,

(vi) Reporting and data upload procedures.

(3) The EM service provider must track hard drives and EM datasets throughout
their cycles, including documenting any access and modifications. EM data must
be removed from hard drives or other medium before returning them to the field.
(4) The EM service provider must communicate with vessel operators and NMFS
to coordinate data service needs, resolve specific program issues, and provide
feedback on program operations. The EM service provider must provide
feedback to vessel representatives, field services staff, and NMFS regarding:
(i) Adjustments to system settings;
(ii) Changes to camera positions;

(iii) Advice to vessel personnel on duty of care responsibilities;

(iv) Advice to vessel personnel on catch handling practices; and,
(v) Any other information that would improve the quality and
effectiveness of data collection on the vessel.

(5) On behalf of vessels with which it has a contract (see §660.604(k)), the EM
service provider must submit to NMFS EM summary reports, including discard
estimates, fishing activity information, and meta data (e.g., image quality,
reviewer name), and incident reports of compliance issues according to a NMFSaccepted EM Service Plan, which is required under §660.603(b)(1)(vii), and as
described in the EM Program Manual or other written and oral instructions
provided by the EM Program, such that the EM program achieves its purpose as
defined at §660.600(b). If NMFS determines that the information does not meet
these standards, NMFS may require the EM service provider to correct and
resubmit the datasets and reports.
(6) Retention of records. Following an EM trip, the EM service provider must
maintain all of a vessel's EM data and other records specified in this section, or
used in the preparation of records or reports specified in this section or
corrections to these reports, for a period of not less than three years after the
date of landing for that trip. EM data and other records must be stored such that

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the integrity and security of the records is maintained for the duration of the
retention period. The EM service provider must produce EM data and other
records immediately upon request by NMFS or an authorized officer.”

1. The EMSP must describe “EM video review software specifications, including a
narrative statement describing how the software meets the EM Program Guidelines
and will provide NMFS with data to achieve the purpose of the EM Program as
defined at §660.600(b)” (see §660.603(b)(1)(vii)(K)). As described above, the EM
service provider must provide NMFS with EM summary reports, including discard
estimates, fishing activity information, and meta data (e.g., image quality, reviewer
name) and incident reports of compliance issues, as described in the EM Program
Manual. The EMSP should describe how video review software and the provider’s
protocols are sufficient to process EM data to provide these reports to NMFS.
2. The EMSP must also describe “procedures for tracking hard drives and/or data files
throughout their use cycle, including procedures to ensure the integrity and security
of hard drives or data files in transit, and for removing EM data from hard drives or
other medium before returning them to the field” (see §660.603(b)(1)(vii)(D)).
a. Note that this requirement applies to all providers that may come into
possession of hard drives or data files containing EM data, either through
providing data services or field services.
b. NMFS recommends an inventory management system to track individual
hard drives/data files using a unique ID number or other identification
system. The provider should be able to determine whether a hard drive/data
file is deployed, in transit, or at the provider and at what stage in the use
cycle. The inventory management system should log the names of any
employees that come into possession of or accessed the hard drive/data files.
The system should also log tracking numbers from shipping companies that
were used, and dates of mailing and receipt.
c. Sealed tamper evident envelopes for hard drives and/or end-to-end
encryption of data files may be used to protect EM data in transit.
3. The EMSP must describe “procedures for data processing, including tracking EM
datasets throughout their processing cycle and documenting any access and
modifications” (see §660.603(b)(1)(vii)(E)).
4. The EMSP must describe procedures for communicating with individual vessel
operators and NMFS to coordinate data services, resolve specific program issues, and
provide feedback on program operations, as specified at §660.603(m)(4), regarding:
a. Adjustments to system settings;
b. Changes to camera positions;
c. Advice to vessel personnel on duty of care responsibilities;
d. Advice to vessel personnel on catch handling practices; and,
e. Any other information that would improve the quality and effectiveness of
data collection on the vessel.
5. The EMSP must describe procedures for processing EM data from contracted vessels
and submitting to NMFS EM summary reports, including discard estimates, fishing
activity information, and meta data (e.g., image quality, reviewer name), and incident

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reports of compliance issues, according to the EM Program Manual (see also
§660.603(m)(5)).
6. The EMSP must describe “procedures for correction and resubmission of EM
summary data reports and other reports that NMFS has determined are not of
sufficient quality to meet the purpose of the EM program, as described at
§660.603(m)(5), and to ensure that future reports are sufficient for use by NMFS”
(see §660.603(b)(1)(vii)(F)).
7. The EMSP must describe how EM data and other records will be stored as required
(see §660.603(m)(6) and (n)). The EM service provider can meet this requirement
by doing the following. If the EM service provider does not have these procedures,
the provider should explain how it would otherwise meet the record retention and
data integrity and security requirements.
a. The original EM data files should be copied, catalogued, and stored
unmodified, immediately upon receipt from the vessel. EM staff should not
write to or modify any EM hard drive or other medium that contains EM data
before it has been copied and catalogued.
b. The original data files or an exact copy should be stored, unmodified. Data
processing, annotations, and any other modifications should be done on
copies.
c. All EM data and other records should be stored using redundancies and backups to guard against failure or physical destruction.
d. EM data may be stored locally on hard drives, local servers, or using cloud
storage services.
e. NMFS expects most requests for access or submission of EM data and other
records associated with a specific EM trip will be made during the year in
which that trip was taken (January 1 – December 31) and until data is
finalized for that year (on or about March 1 of the following year). EM data
files may be transmitted to NMFS via a secure website from which NMFS and
authorized officers can download the data files, or by mailing a hard drive,
CD, or other medium containing the data files to the West Coast Groundfish
Observer Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), 2725
Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112. The provider may wish to take
this information into account when planning for and comparing the costs and
accessibility of different storage options.

Section 2.3 Application Review Process

After submitting an application, NMFS may request additional information or revisions
from the applicant until NMFS is satisfied that the application is complete. Complete
applications will be forwarded to the EM Program for review and evaluation by the EM
provider permit review board. If the applicant is an entity, the review board also will
evaluate the application criteria for each owner, board member, officer, authorized
agent, and employee. NMFS will evaluate the application based on these EM Program
Guidelines (see §660.600(b)) and the following criteria:
1. The applicant's relevant experience and qualifications;

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2. Review of any conflict of interest as described in §660.603(h);
3. Review of any criminal convictions;
4. Review of the proposed EM Service Plan, including evaluation of EM equipment
and software;
5. Satisfactory performance ratings on any federal contracts held by the applicant;
6. Review of any history of decertification or permit sanction as an observer, catch
monitor, observer provider, catch monitor provider, or EM service provider; and,
7. Review of any performance history as an EM service provider.

Based on a complete application, if NMFS determines that the applicant has met the
requirements of the EM Program as described in the regulations at §660.603, NMFS will
issue an initial administrative determination (IAD). If the application is approved, the
IAD will serve as the EM service provider's permit and endorsement. If the application
is denied, the IAD will provide an explanation of the denial in writing as well as how to
appeal NMFS’s decision following the process at §660.19. The provider permit is valid
from the effective date identified on the permit until December 31 of the following year.
Provider permit holders must renew biennially (see §660.603(f)).

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

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Appendix A: Recommended EM Unit
Features
To be approved for use in the West Coast groundfish fishery, EM units must meet the
performance standards in the regulations at §660.604(j). NMFS has gathered required
and recommended features of EM units from other EM programs and summarized them
in this appendix. These recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in
content, and are intended to assist an EM service provider in providing an EM unit and
services that meet the goals of the EM Program. If the EM unit does not have these
features, the EM service provider should explain how it would otherwise meet the
standards in the regulations.
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Simple to use and require minimal maintenance.
Durable in harsh marine environments.
Be secure, using end-to-end encryption of data files and restricting access to
system settings (i.e., prohibiting administrative access to vessel crew).
Modular, small size, for ease in installation and component replacement.
Have an internal UPS that carries the system through short power interruptions
and provides for a controlled shutdown.
Have a single means of distributing power to all system components with the
ability to log the time and reason for any interruption to system power.
Logs occurrences and reasons for system shutoff.
Automatic re-starting of system based upon restoration of sufficient power.
Data storage hardware should be resistant to damage and data loss and provide
safeguards to retain data in the event of electrical failure or power spikes.
Cameras should record continuously at a frame rate of 5 unique frames per
second, and provide the option to produce still images for enhanced species
identification and measurement.
Cameras should produce images compatible with zoom function for enhanced
identification during video review.
Cameras should be capable of recording data at a resolution of 2MP (1080P).
Cameras should produce color imagery with the ability to revert to black and
white video output when light levels become too low for color recognition.
The control box should log GPS positions every 10 seconds. The GPS should use a
minimum of 3 satellites to triangulate vessel position. If 3 satellites are not
available at any time, the system should not log a location rather than imputing a
calculated location.
Video imagery should be capable of being viewed on the vessel by the vessel
crew or authorized officers without interfering with data collection.
The video imagery should have embedded time stamps with time synced
between GPS, imagery, and other sensors and data sets.

2021 Electronic Monitoring Service Plan Guidelines