The response provides thorough and detailed information on the statistical basis and operational details of the harvest monitoring program. The sponsors have provided numerous details in their response, including outlines of the statistical methods that will be used to estimate variance of catch rates. The program seems to be in the hands of a very qualified statistician. Primarily extracted from the sponsor's annual report (Statler et al. 2006, submitted after the ISRP review), the response adequately addresses ISRP comments.