Gulf 
                    Reef Fishermen Encouraged to Apply for Vessel Monitoring System 
                    Reimbursement 
                    Posted: 
                    11/8/06
                   Gulf 
                    of Mexico commercial reef fishermen may apply for reimbursement 
                    of the purchase price of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). 
                    NOAA Fisheries Service is dispersing funds to vessel owners 
                    and/or operators who purchased a VMS in compliance with Gulf 
                    of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery regulations. Reimbursements will 
                    be made for the purchase price of the least expensive VMS 
                    approved for the Reef Fish Fishery ($3,095).
                  Vessel 
                    owners/operators may contact the Vessel Monitoring Support 
                    Center with NOAA Fisheries/Office of Law Enforcement at (888) 
                    219-9228 for an application and a compliance confirmation 
                    code. Fishermen should complete the application and collect 
                    their proof of eligibility, which includes a copy of the valid 
                    commercial reef fish permit, proof of purchase, including 
                    price, of the type-approved VMS and a valid compliance confirmation 
                    code.
                  All paperwork 
                    should be sent to Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission 
                    (PSMFC), 205 SE Spokane Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97202; 
                    phone (503) 595-3100. See the PSMFC site for additional useful 
                    information at www.psmfc.org.
                  Interested 
                    persons should apply as soon as possible. PSMFC requires about 
                    two weeks to process a complete and correct application.
                  EDITORS: 
                    For more information, contact the Louisiana Seafood Promotion 
                    and Marketing Board at (504) 838-1170 or the NOAA Vessel Monitoring 
                    Support Center at (888) 219-9228.
                  
                   
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