NOAA Fisheries News Releases
NEWS RELEASE
April 2, 2002
Sheela McLean, Public Affairs
(907) 586-7032
VMS Workshops Scheduled
The National Marine Fisheries Service Office for Law Enforcement, in cooperation with the Coast Guard's North Pacific Regional Fisheries Training Team, is holding Vessel Monitoring System workshops in Alaska fishing communities this spring.
These workshops address the VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) Program, scheduled to start in the Pacific cod, pollock and Atka mackerel directed fisheries on June 10, 2002.
The VMS system is a method of periodically reporting-through satellite communications-the location and identity of boats. Workshop leaders will discuss in detail which fisheries and fishing activities are affected, permit requirements, program design, regulations and equipment requirements.
Workshops have been scheduled for:
| April 5 | Kodiak | "Comfish" Trade show, 3 PM |
| April 15 | Homer | City Hall, 6 PM |
| April 16 | Seward | Alaska Vocational Technical. Center, 6 PM |
| April 19 | Unalaska | City Council Meeting Room, 5 PM |
| April 23 | Juneau | Regional Admin. Conference Room, 4th Floor Federal Bldg. 1:30 PM |
| April 25 | Petersburg | Omni Building, 6 PM |
| April 30 | Ketchikan | NMFS Enforcement Office, 1 PM |
| May 1 | Sitka | Centennial Hall, 6 PM |
| May 6 | Cordova | Labor Hall, 7 PM |
| May 8 | Sand Point | City Chambers, 6 PM |
For more information on the workshop schedule or the VMS Program, contact your local NMFS Enforcement office or the Regional Enforcement Office at 907 586-7225.
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources through scientific research, management, enforcement, and the conservation of marine mammals and other protected marine species and their habitat. To learn more about NOAA Fisheries in Alaska, please visit our website at www.fakr.noaa.gov