Comment from Donald Dowdell

The proposed rule requires on-line capability to get an approval code prior to landing fish. Other than the VMS terminal I do not have a computer on the boat. And sending emails via the VMS satellite link is prohibitively expensive. If this amendment is implemented there should be an inexpensive way to get the approval code (for example a one sentence request for the approval code, or better yet, a simple telephone call) All of the wholesale dealers are closed on weekends and so many times I must transport fish in my own truck. A head count on the fish would be much easier and more accurate than weighing the fish on the boat. For most of the year there would be no problem with the fisherman having adequate quota. Fishermen can estimate the weight of fish landed fairly accurately (probably within 10 pounds for every 100 pounds of fish. Therefore if a fisherman has 1000 pounds of quota remaining or even as little as 200 pounds) and has about 100 pounds of fish to offload, there is no potential problem with not having enough quota. Also even on the last trip of the year the rule makes allowance for deducting any excess (up to 10% of the quota remaining at the beginning of the trip) from the quots for the following year. If I am required to weigh the fish on my boat and my scale says I have 100 pounds and the dealer's scale says I have 95 or 105 pounds, what procedure will be used to handle the difference when the dealer reports the purchase of the fish?