Table of Contents

What does a fishery observer do?

Fishery observers collect first-hand catch and bycatch data from U.S. commercial fishing and processing vessels. These professionally trained biological technicians are eyes and ears for NOAA Fisheries' on the water. They monitor and collect data about where a vessel is fishing, the type of gear used, and interactions with marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, and other protected resources. All observers record their data while onboard the vessel. At the completion of the trip, NOAA Fisheries' debriefers review the data with the observers. Data are quality checked and entered into databases by the regional programs, which then made available for use.

Why are observers important?

Observers are the only independent data collection source for some types of at-sea activities. The information they collect supports science, conservation, and management activities, compliance with fishing and safety regulations.

What kind of data do observers collect?

Observers collect data on species composition of catch, weights of fish caught, disposition of landed species, protected species interactions, and more. For example, some observers working on processing vessels collect stomach content data to inform fishery life history and diet research; these data would be difficult to collect otherwise. Observers provide valuable assistance to researchers by tagging sharks, tunas, sablefish, spiny lobsters, swordfish, and even some species of sea turtles for ongoing projects. Observers also provide reports on interactions with banded seabirds, which are banded by scientists and resource managers provide representative data for individuals within a population.

How is this data used?

Data collected by fishery observers are used for:

• Population assessments of fish stocks, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds.

• Evaluating impacts of fishing on protected species such as marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds.

• Monitoring fishing activity so that total allowable catches, annual catch limits, and vessel-or-sector-specific quotas are not exceeded.

• Monitoring experimental fisheries and gear types.

• Testing bycatch reduction devices.

Where do observers work?

Fishery observers and at-sea monitors are placed on select commercial fishing and processing vessels, at shoreside processing plants, and on mothership transfer vessels. Fisheries observers work in U.S. domestic waters up to 200 miles from shore, our Exclusive Economic Zone and to a limited extent on U.S. and international vessels fishing the high seas. The duration of an observer’s deployment can vary from one day to a few months, depending on the fishery.

What training do observers receive?

NOAA Fisheries’ regional observer programs train observers on species identification, fishery management, regulations, safety, and data collection. Although NOAA Fisheries does not routinely train observers who work in international fisheries, the agency has provided observer training for a number of countries, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, Kiribati, Korea, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam.

What are working conditions like for observers at sea?

U.S. fisheries are among the safest in the world, and NOAA Fisheries’ top priority is to ensure the safety of our observers and at-sea monitors. Still, working on a commercial fishing vessel involves unusual challenges. Observers work side-by-side with fishermen on the vessels they monitor, often having to do their jobs in very cramped quarters and on rough seas. The National Observer Program has created many resources to help observers adapt to conditions on a commercial fishing vessel, including a series of fact sheets on topics such as proper lifting techniques, safe boarding of vessels, immersion suits, electrical and fire safety, and bed bug mitigation.

Why are fisheries monitored by observer programs?

The Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act require the government to collect data on activities that affect marine resources. Many of the programs also satisfy requirements of the Endangered Species Act. Without observers and observer programs, there would be insufficient data to effectively manage fish stocks and determine the impacts of fishing on protected species.

On a global scale, international agreements (such as the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries) outline NOAA Fisheries’ stewardship role in leading collaborative efforts to conserve and protect marine resources. International provisions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act also strengthen the U.S. commitment to monitoring and reducing bycatch.