Notice on Preventing Observer Harassment
April 12, 2023
This notice is a reminder to all vessel owners and operators of the responsibility to provide a safe working environment for fisheries observers carried on their vessels.
Mistreatment of observers is unlawful and the detection and prosecution of such violations is one of our highest enforcement priorities.
Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and implementing regulations, it is illegal to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, sexually harass, bribe, or interfere with any observer on a vessel or data collector. These prohibitions apply to everyone onboard your vessel during an observed fishing trip. Federal law also requires the reporting of complaints or incidents of unlawful harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault on documented vessels.