Fishery Observer Programs in the Southeast

Fishery observers collect catch and bycatch data from U.S. commercial fishing and processing vessels, as well as from shore-side processing plants and receiving vessels also known as “motherships”. 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.

In the Southeast region, there are five observer programs under the Southeast Fisheries Science Center:

• Southeast Pelagic Fishery Observer Program 

• Southeast Shark Bottomline Fishery Observer Program 

• Southeast Gillnet Fishery Observer Program 

• Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Shrimp Fisheries Observer Program 

• Platform Observer Program