Three firms including MRAG Americas, headed by a former high government fisheries official with close ties to NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco, have been chosen to share the $6.5 million contract to provide on-board observer services to the New England fishing industry as it begins a new management regime.
The other two firms sharing the contract to provide observers are East West Technical Services of New Britain, Conn., and A.I.S. Inc. of New Bedford.
A fourth firm, Saltwater Inc. of Anchorage, Alaska, was dropped due to the prices it had proposed in the competition for observer coverage for the catch share regulatory system that begins Saturday.
Because of the hard catch limits and deterrent policies for overfishing, the federal government has decided to require observers on 38 percent of fishing trips made by boats participating in the new system.
MRAG has an office in Essex, but the contract was awarded to the company's address in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Its president, Andrew Rosenberg, is a high-profile fishery scientist and former deputy director of the National Marine Fisheries Service as well a former professor and dean at University of New Hampshire.
The award was announced last week.
The National Marine Fisheries Service makes the assignments from the observer office in Woods Hole, according to a contract officer.
The contract selection process took an unusual turn last week when MRAG posted on its Web site that it had already been granted the award before the government formalized the selection at the end of a five-day period for challenges.
Richard Gaines can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3464, or rgaines@gloucestertimes.com.
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
