North Pacific Observer Program

North Pacific Observer Sampling Manual

The Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division’s North Pacific Observer Program collects, maintains, and distributes data for scientific, management, and regulatory compliance purposes in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands.

January 20, 2026 - Other Reports ,

Alaska

North Pacific Observer Program Training Schedule

Observer Training to become a certified North Pacific observer consists of a comprehensive three-week program held in Seattle. The curriculum includes safety while at sea, sampling methodologies, species identification, and data documentation requirements. Please see below for dates, training type, and location information.

Alaska

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2026 Annual Deployment Plan for Observers and Electronic Monitoring in the Groundfish and Halibut Fisheries off Alaska

This final 2026 Annual Deployment Plan (ADP) describes how the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will assign at-sea and shoreside fishery observers and electronic monitoring (EM) to vessels and processing plants engaged in halibut and groundfish fishing operations in the North Pacific.

January 12, 2026 - Document ,

Alaska

Electronic Monitoring in Alaska

A number of electronic monitoring (EM) technologies have been applied to fisheries monitoring. Within the North Pacific, video technology is used for estimating catch and discard for fisheries management and monitoring for compliance with regulations.

Alaska

Recordkeeping and Reporting in Alaska - Federal Register Rules and Notices

NOAA Fisheries proposes to revise regulations to standardize the time limit in which trawl catcher/processors (C/Ps) participating in the groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) management areas…

Proposed Rule,

Alaska

Published

01/24/2026

North Pacific Observer Program Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Groundfish and Halibut - Federal Register Rules and Notices

NOAA Fisheries publishes standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish and halibut for the calculation of the observer fee under the North Pacific Observer Program. These notices are intended to provide information to vessel owners, processors, registered…

Notice,

Alaska

Effective

01/24/2026

2025 Annual Deployment Plan for Observers and Electronic Monitoring in the Groundfish and Halibut Fisheries off Alaska

This final 2025 Annual Deployment Plan (ADP) describes how the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will assign at-sea and shoreside fishery observers and electronic monitoring (EM) to vessels and processing plants engaged in halibut and groundfish fishing operations in the North Pacific.

November 27, 2024 - Document ,

Alaska

North Pacific Observer Program 2023 Annual Report

This Annual Report provides information, analysis, and recommendations based on the deployment of observers and Electronic Monitoring (EM) systems by the North Pacific Observer Program (Observer Program) in the halibut and groundfish fisheries off Alaska during 2023.

November 27, 2024 - Document ,

Alaska

North Pacific Observers Species Identification Manual

The following species have not been confirmed in Alaskan waters or are rare enough to need further confirmation. For confirmation, you must return with a specimen or photographic documentation. Any species encountered out of range also requires confirmation, including all species not listed in the field guides.

November 27, 2024 - Other Reports ,

Alaska

North Pacific Observer Program Pre-class Reading Study Guide

Congratulations on being accepted into job training and welcome to the Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division’s North Pacific Observer Program!

November 27, 2024 - Other Reports ,

Alaska

"North Pacific Observer Program"

North Pacific Observer Program Results