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