Fishery Observers

For more than four decades, fishery observers have collected catch and bycatch data from U.S. commercial fishing and processing vessels. They also obtain data from shoreside processing plants and receiving vessels. Today, there are fisheries observer programs covering fisheries of the Greater Atlantic, Southeast, West Coast, Pacific Islands, Northwest, and Alaska. All of these region-based programs fall under our National Observer Program. This allows NOAA Fisheries to address observer issues of national importance and develop overarching policies and procedures that reflect the diverse needs of regional observer programs. This approach ensures we enhance data quality while maintaining consistency in key areas of national importance.

Greater Atlantic 

• At-Sea Monitoring Program

• Industry-Funded Scallop Observer Program

• Northeast Fisheries Observer Program

Southeast

• Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Observer Program

• Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Observer Program

• Southeast Gillnet Observer Program

• Southeast Pelagic Observer Program 

• Southeast Shark Bottom Longline Observer Program 

West Coast

• California Drift Gillnet Observer Program 

• California Pelagic Longline Observer Program

• Deep-Set Buoy Gear Observer Program

Pacific Islands

• American Samoa Pelagic Longline Observer Program

• Hawaii-Based Pelagic Longline Observer Program

Northwest

• West Coast Groundfish Fishery Observer Program

• West Coast Groundfish Trawl Catch Share Program

Alaska

• Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program

• North Pacific Fishery Observer Program 

Observers are professionally trained biological technicians. 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

Getting Started as 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.

For more information on becoming an observer and to obtain an application for employment, contact an observer provider in your region

Eligibility Criteria

Specific skills vary by job, but include:

• Species identification
• Biological specimen data collection
• Proper protected species handling.
• Ability to tread water and/or swim in an immersion suit and to right and board a life raft
• Ability to manage motion- and seasickness
• Ability to work long and irregular hours
• Aptitude for maintaining diplomacy, professionalism, and interpersonal relations in a challenging environment

Education

Observer candidates typically have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the natural sciences. This should include 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 animal specimens
• Entering data into a database

Physical/Medical Condition

Observer candidates must have a physician’s certification 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.

Other

Individual programs may 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. They may be reviewed online or by contacting those programs directly.

Training

Prior to deployment, most observers also complete an intensive 2- to 3-week course. It 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.

• Observer Safety Training Standards
• Marine Safety Instructor Training

See observer training materials

Safety

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 2018, NOAA Fisheries issued the final report from an independent, comprehensive review of all aspects of fishery observer and at-sea monitor safety and health

Learn more about observer safety

Current observers can access observer training manuals from different regional programs, fact sheets from the NOPAT Safety Advisory Committee on specific safety issues, safety training resources, and other information below.

Observer Training Manuals

Greater Atlantic

• Northeast Fisheries Observer Program, Handbook for Fisheries Observers and Providers 

Southeast

• Southeast Otter Trawl and Reef Fish Fisheries Observer Materials

West Coast

• Southwest Regional Observer Program Observer Manual

• Southwest Regional Observer Program Field Manual

Pacific Islands

• Hawaii and American Samoa Observer Program

Northwest

• West Coast Groundfish Observer Training Manual

• At-Sea Hake Observer Program Sampling Manual

Alaska

• North Pacific Observer Sampling Manual

Other Observer Resources

• Satellite Communication Devices Fact Sheet (PDF, 2 pages)

• Observer Know-How: Reporting Banded Seabirds (PDF, 1 page)

• Career Fact Sheet (PDF, 1 page)

• Workers’ Compensation Claims for NOAA Fishery Observers (PDF, 1 page)

• Proper Lifting Techniques Fact Sheet (PDF, 1 page)

• Safe Boarding of Vessels Fact Sheet (PDF, 2 pages)

• Immersion Suit Fact Sheet (PDF, 1 page)

• PLB and EPIRB Fact Sheet (PDF, 2 pages)

• Electrical and Fire Safety Fact Sheet (PDF, 2 pages)

• Bed Bugs Fact Sheet (PDF, 1 page)

• Marine Pollution and MARPOL Fact Sheet (PDF, 2 pages)

• National Minimum Eligibility Standards for Marine Fisheries Observers (PDF, 7 pages)

• NOAA Fisheries Observer Safety Training Standards (PDF, 33 pages)

• Cost Analysis of Applying the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act to Fisheries Observers (PDF, 43 pages)

• National Review of Observer Programs, Policies, and Procedures (2014) (PDF, 45 pages)

Safety Training

It is critical that all fisheries observers receive consistent safety training. This training must adhere to minimum national standards appropriate for preparing observers for the hazards associated with commercial fishing operations.

Learn more about observer safety

National Safety Review

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 focused on seven key areas:

• Safety reporting
• Communications
• Practices and policies
• Training
• Regulations
• Equipment
• International issues

The safety review consisted of gathering and assessing information from stakeholders and partners, recommending improvements, and developing continuing self-evaluation tools. The final report was released in 2018.

Learn more about the Action Plan for implementing the Observer Safety Report Review recommendation

Greater Atlantic

Vessels/Processors

• Northeast Fisheries Observer Program Handbook for the Fishing Industry (PDF, 44 pages)

Alaska

Vessels/Processors

• Electronic Monitoring
• Annual Deployment Plans
• Annual Reports
• Vessel / Plant Operator FAQ
• Vessel / Plant Operator Comment Form
• Observer Deploy and Declare System (ODDS) 
• Observer Fee Collection and Payment
• Observer Harassment Warning (PDF, 1 page)
• Federal Register - Rules and Notices
• FMP Amendments - Rules and Notices
• Regulatory Analyses