Fishery observers are NOAA Fisheries’ eyes and ears on the water. They are professionally trained biological technicians who gather data on what’s caught and what’s discarded by U.S. commercial fishing vessels. They also support compliance with fishing and safety regulations and track protected species bycatch.

A fisheries observer is an independent specialist who serves on board commercial fishing vessels, or in fish processing plants and other platforms, and is employed by a fisheries observer program, either directly by a government agency or by a third party contractor, such as the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Observers spend ...

NOAA Fisheries has been using observers to collect fisheries data since 1972. In 2019, 850 observers monitored 54 fisheries, logging more than 71,600 observer days at sea through regional observer programs around the country.

Fishery observers are NOAA Fisheries' eyes and ears on the water. What does a typical day looks like for an observer, and how do their experiences shape their career paths? Find out by reading profiles and blogs of current and former observers below!

Helping to manage the fisheries for future generations. Alaskan Observers, Inc. (AOI) recruits biologists year-round to work as Domestic Groundfish Observers in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California.

For more than four decades, NOAA Fisheries has used fishery observers to collect catch and bycatch data from U.S. commercial fishing and processing vessels, as well as from shore-side processing plants and “motherships” (also known as receiving vessels).

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.

For more than four decades, NOAA Fisheries has used fishery observers to collect catch and bycatch data from U.S. commercial fishing and processing vessels, as well as from shoreside processing plants and “motherships” (also known as receiving vessels).

The Association for Professional Observers (APO) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to strengthen fisheries observer programs through advocacy and education.

2024年8月31日 · Being a fisheries observer is a good way to get your first first-hand fisheries experience. It is a good entry level position. You acquire first hand knowledge of commercial fisheries and get to see a variety of marine species.