In FY 2005, NMFS fisheries observer programs continued to provide the high quality biological information on fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and sea bird populations relied upon by the agency to manage the nation’s marine resources. Reducing fisheries bycatch1 is identified in the agency’s governing statutes as an important conservation and management priority for NMFS. The data collected by fisheries observers are the primary source of information on fisheries bycatch. National highlights in FY 2005 included releasing the NOAA Technical Report “Evaluating Bycatch: A National Approach to Standardized Bycatch Monitoring Programs,” which contained extensive contributions from NMFS observer programs. In addition, NMFS observer programs contributed to agency goals by providing valuable information used in stock assessments, quota monitoring, take reduction plan development, and other aspects of fisheries management.

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