Fishery Observers
Learn how fisheries observers collect data vital to the sustainable management of our nation’s fisheries.
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Fishery observers and at-sea monitors are our eyes and ears on the water. They collect data from U.S. commercial fishing and processing vessels as well as from shore-side processing plants. Observers are professionally trained biological scientists gathering first-hand data on what's caught and thrown back, which supports science, conservation, and management activities. The high-quality data they collect are used to monitor fisheries, assess fish populations, set fishing quotas, and inform management. Observers also support compliance with fishing and safety regulations.
Observers and at-sea monitors are professionally trained biological scientists, with a bachelor's degree in natural sciences and rigorous training.
Observers work in U.S. waters, including the vast Alaska fisheries in the North Pacific and Bering Sea, the Mid-Atlantic shark gill net fishery, the Georges Bank scallop and lobster fisheries, and many more.
Observers may spend days, weeks, or even months aboard commercial fishing and receiving vessels gathering first-hand data on what's caught and thrown back by U.S. commercial fishing vessels.
To manage fisheries, data are needed not only for species targeted by a fishery, but for all species making up the impacted ecosystem. Observers are the only independent data collection source for some types of at-sea information, such as bycatch, catch composition, protected species interactions, and gear configuration.
Bycatch or incidental catch is a complex, global issue that threatens the sustainability and resiliency of our fishing communities, economies, and ocean ecosystems. We are committed to minimizing bycatch in U.S. fisheries to ensure our fisheries remain sustainable and that protected species are given the best chance to recover. Observer programs are the only independent (and most common) source for many types of information about fishing operations, including catch and bycatch data.
In fisheries where it is too dangerous or otherwise not feasible to have observers, other data collection methods are used to track catch, including logbooks, surveys, and electronic monitoring and reporting. Electronic monitoring is an important technological advancement that supplements the work fishery observers and at-sea monitors do, while keeping them as safe as possible.
Ensuring observer safety and a professional working environment is a top concern of NOAA Fisheries. We have developed and implemented world-class safety and training programs. Preparing observers for safe deployments requires an active partnership between NOAA Fisheries (including our Office of Law Enforcement), observers, observer providers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the fishing industry.
Learn more about how we are working to ensure observer safety
Data collected on fishery interactions with protected species (marine mammals, sea turtles, certain populations of fish, and endangered seabirds) aid scientists in developing measures to reduce the risk of fisheries interactions.
Learn more about how we use data on fishery interactions with protected species
Sustainable fisheries is a global issue that calls for sharing critical issues among international fishery observer programs, emerging monitoring technologies, and other approaches to fishery-dependent data collection and analyses.
Learn how fisheries observers collect data vital to the sustainable management of our nation’s fisheries.
For more than four decades, we have used fishery observers to collect catch and bycatch data from U.S. commercial fishing and processing vessels, as well as from shore-side processing plants and “motherships” also known as receiving vessels. Our eyes and ears on the water, observers and at-sea monitors are professionally trained biological scientists gathering first-hand data on what’s caught and thrown back by U.S. commercial fishing vessels. The high-quality data they collect are used to monitor federal fisheries, assess fish populations, set fishing quotas, and inform management of those fisheries. Observers also support compliance with fishing and safety regulations.
Today, there are fisheries observer programs in all five NOAA Fisheries management regions: Alaska, West Coast, Pacific Islands, Greater Atlantic, and Southeast. All of these region-based programs fall under our National Observer Program, which allows us to address observer issues of national importance and to develop overarching policies and procedures to reflect the diverse needs of regional observer programs while enhancing data quality and achieving consistency in key areas of national importance.
Observers are professionally trained biological scientists. They monitor commercial fisheries and collect data to support science, conservation, and management of U.S. marine fisheries. They also support compliance with fishing and safety regulations. Their work is intense. They may spend days, weeks, or even months aboard commercial fishing and receiving vessels.
Learn more about what it's like to be an observer
NOAA Fisheries contracts with or certifies private observer provider companies to recruit, hire, and deploy observers. These companies provide support services, such as insurance, meal allowances, and travel expenses to observers.
Specific skills vary by job, but include:
Observer candidates should have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the natural sciences with at least 30 hours in biological sciences, including a combination of marine science and fisheries course work. The specialized experience must be in the field of fisheries and include functions such as participation in ocean fishing activities; observing ocean fishing activities; participation in fishery research cruises; recording data on marine mammal sightings and fishing activities; tallying incidental take of marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds from fishing platforms; collecting biological samples and specimens from postmortem animals; and entering data into a database using computers.
Observer candidates should be able to pass a physical and eye examination prior to deployment certifying that they do not have health or vision problems that would jeopardize their safety or the safety of others while at sea. They must have the capacity to perform strenuous physical labor, at times under arduous conditions
Individual programs might have additional requirements such as calculator and computer skills, CPR and first aid certification, minimum physical condition standards, U.S. citizenship, and/or a background check.
Certain regional programs, including at-sea monitors in New England and shoreside catch monitors on the West Coast, have specific requirements that may be reviewed online or by contacting those programs directly. Prior to deployment, most observers also complete an intensive 2-to-3 week course that includes training in biology and species identification, data collection, fishing and safety regulations, and at-sea survival skills. Individual programs may have additional requirements such as current CPR and first aid certification; minimum physical condition standards; U.S. citizenship; and/or agreeing to a background check. Observers also attend regular professional development and safety briefings to keep their knowledge current.
Prior to deployment, most observers also complete an intensive 2-3 week course that includes training in biology and species identification, data collection, fishing and safety regulations, and at-sea survival skills. Observer candidates must demonstrate their potential to collect accurate field data and to react to unfamiliar situations at sea in a professional manner.
Observers also attend regular professional development and safety briefings to keep their knowledge current.
See observer training materials
The health and safety of our observers and at-sea monitors is a top priority for the agency. For observers to be effective, the working conditions must be safe and professional. Since the inception of the observer program in the 1970s, we have continually worked to develop and institute world-class training and safety protocols. Preparing observers for safe deployments requires an active partnership among NOAA Fisheries (including NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement and Office of General Counsel), observers, observer providers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the fishing industry.
In 2016, NOAA Fisheries launched a comprehensive review of all aspects of fishery observer and at-sea monitor safety and health.
Cost Analysis of Applying the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act to Fisheries Observers
National Review of Observer Programs, Policies, and Procedures (2014)
It is critical that all fisheries observers receive consistent safety training and that it adheres to minimum national standards appropriate for preparing observers for the hazards associated with commercial fishing operations.
Learn more about observer safety
The health and safety of our observers and at-sea monitors is a top priority for the agency. In 2016, NOAA Fisheries launched a comprehensive review of all aspects of fishery observer and at-sea monitor safety and health. Led by a team of outside auditors, the review focuses on seven key areas:
Safety reporting
Communications
Practices and policies
Training
Regulations
Equipment
International issues.
The safety review will consist of gathering and assessing information from stakeholders and partners, recommending improvements, and developing continuing self-evaluation tools. The final report is expected in late 2017.