National Observer Program

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a formal way for NOAA Fisheries to address observer issues of national importance, and support observers and regional observer & monitoring programs through development of necessary policies and procedures. The policies must reflect the diverse needs of regional observer & monitoring programs while enhancing data quality and achieving consistency in areas of national importance.

Our Objectives

• Coordinate the National Observer Program Advisory Team.
• Communicate and advocate the mission of the National Observer Program and each regional observer program.
• Develop and support national standards and policies to create high-quality, cost-effective, efficient, and productive observer & monitoring programs.
• Characterize the activities and resources of NOAA Fisheries observer & monitoring programs through annual reports and other means, and advocate for full support of regional programs.

Our Activities

Enhancements to data quality and data collection procedures

• Develop and evaluate NOAA Fisheries initiatives to improve the quality of observer data from regional observer & monitoring programs.
• Evaluate the procedures for collection of observer data, including the review of data collection methodologies and bycatch estimation procedures.
• Develop technological and methodological enhancements to improve data collection techniques.
• Enhance the quality of data collected by observers through development of national standards for the collection, management, and distribution of observer data.
• Enhance integration of observer data with other data collection programs such as logbooks, VMS, and landings reports.
• Develop and update a national bycatch report for documentation of regional and national bycatch estimates and estimation procedures, identification of gaps in coverage, and input into strategic planning processes.

Policy development

• Identify amendments under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and other federal legislation necessary to support observer program activities.
• Develop national policies on issues of national concern to observer & monitoring programs, such as hiring and training observers, observer safety and health, and data confidentiality.

Observer support

• Recognize and support the needs of observers so they are able to collect high-quality scientific data.
• Communicate National Observer Program activities of interest to the observer community.

Program enhancements

• Identify the agency’s highest priorities for observer data collection and make recommendations on how observer & monitoring programs can fulfill those needs.
• Review regional observer & monitoring programs and make recommendations on how to improve program operations and administration.
• Review the cost efficiency and effectiveness of observer program operations.

Outreach and education

• Communicate the goals and objectives of NOAA Fisheries observer & monitoring programs at a national level.
• Support and coordinate the outreach activities of regional observer & monitoring programs.
• Formalize working relationships between observer & monitoring programs and other state/federal agencies and organizations.

International

• Support and participate in the International Fisheries Observer Conference.
• Support policies and practices that help ensure safety of observers in international fisheries.
• Assist other NOAA Fisheries offices with international observer-related issues.

Regional Observer & Monitoring Programs

• North Pacific Observer Program
• West Coast Observer & Monitoring Programs
• Pacific Islands Fishery Observer Program
• Southeast Observer Program
• Northeast Fisheries Observer Program
• NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, Observer Liaisons
• Notice on Preventing Observer Harassment