A fisheries observer is an independent specialist who serves on board commercial fishing

Commercial fishing

Commercial fishing is the activity of catching fish and other seafood for commercial profit, mostly from wild fisheries. It provides a large quantity of food to many countries around the world, but those who practice it as an industry must often pursue fish far into the ocean under adverse conditions...

 vessels

Fishing vessel

A fishing vessel is a boat or ship used to catch fish in the sea, or on a lake or river. Many different kinds of vessels are used in commercial, artisanal and recreational fishing....

, or in fish processing plants

Fish processing facility

A fish factory, also called a fish plant, fish processing facility, is a facility where fish processing is performed. Fish factories range in the size and range of species of fish they process. Some species of fish, such as mackerel and herring, and can be caught at sea by large pelagic trawlers...

 and other platforms, and is employed by a fisheries observer program, either directly by a government agency or by a third party contractor. Observers spend anywhere from 1 day to 3 months out at sea before returning to be “debriefed”. A debriefing consists of reviewing any unusual occurrences or observations, violations observed, and any safety problems or other hardships they endured during the trip. These data are then integrated into the regional agency’s database used to monitor fish quotas.

Observers are usually the only independent data collection source for some types of at-sea information, such as bycatch

Bycatch

The term “bycatch” is usually used for fish caught unintentionally in a fishery while intending to catch other fish. It may however also indicate untargeted catch in other forms of animal harvesting or collecting...

, catch composition, and gear configuration data. Independent data collection in this context refers to data that is not potentially biased by the fishermen. Creel surveys, trip reports, and other data obtained directly from fishermen can have some dependent bias associated with it. Fisheries-dependent information is critical for the responsible management and conservation of living marine resources, and many worldwide marine resource management regimes utilize fisheries observers for the collection of this data.

The integrity of a fisheries observer program is a function of the conduct, morale, and performance of its employees. Moreover, the stature and stability of a program has direct bearing on the quality of its data products and on the level of confidence that scientists, managers, and policy makers are able to ascribe to the use of this data.

Hiring Requirements

A fisheries observer program is responsible for providing the training and support necessary for deploying observers on board fishing vessels in order to collect the fisheries-dependent information essential to achieving the management objectives of the programme. Generally, fisheries observers are required to have an educational background in the biological sciences and a proven ability to handle life at sea. Specific programs have additional or less requirements. Also required is an independent attitude, an ability to get along with people in tight quarters and strong personal integrity. "Hang Loose" and "Stand By" are the general mottos for observers because conditions, boats and circumstances often change at the last minute.

Objectives

Fisheries observer programmes vary according to the management objective. The three main objectives are

• Scientific: including stock (targeted and / or bycatch species) assessments and predictions of future fisheries exploitation of stocks. Observer duties include collection of catch composition and environmental / ecological information, and biological sampling of catch

• Monitoring control and surveillance
  Monitoring control and surveillance
  Monitoring, control and surveillance , in the context of fisheries, is defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as a broadening of traditional enforcing national rules over fishing, to the support of the broader problem of fisheries management.Internationally, the...
  
   (MCS): including assessments of fishing and / or transhipment activities to ensure fisheries management measures are followed. Observer duties include verification of logbooks with fishing and / or transhipment activities and registering compliance with all regulations.

• Fisheries: including the objectives found in both scientific and MCS observer programmes. Observer duties also include the observer duties found in both scientific and MCS observer programs.

The International Fisheries Observer and Monitoring Conference develops, promotes and enhances effective fishery monitoring programs to ensure sustainable resource management throughout the world’s oceans. Their mission is to improve fishery monitoring and observing programs worldwide through sharing practices and development of data collection and analysis. Since many observing entities are contracted, this conference allows dialog between agencies and between those that rely upon the data collected by observers.
http://www.apo-observers.org/programs gives a list of observer programs around the world.

Mission

The mission of the National Observer Program is to provide a support system for observers ensuring that they are fully supported. The policies must reflect the diverse needs of regional observer programs while enhancing data quality and achieving consistency in key areas of national importance. Observers are fully assisted by the National Observer Program. All gear is provided to observers for safety and sampling. Travel mileage, hotels, and expenses are paid while traveling to and from docks. Observers are also supported by extremely strict repercussions against any fisherman impeding or endangering them at the docks or while at sea.

Objectives

• Coordinate the National Observer Program Advisory Team.

• Communicate and advocate the mission of the National Observer Program and each regional observer program.

• Develop and support national standards and policies to create high quality, cost effective, efficient, and productive observer programs.

• Characterize and qualify the activities and resources of NOAA Fisheries observer programs and advocate for full support

Activities

Enhancements to Data Quality and Data Collection Procedures	To develop and evaluate Agency initiatives To evaluate the procedures for collection of observer data To develop technological and methodological improvements to data collection To enhance the quality of observer data To integrate observer data with other data collection programs To update a national by catch report
Policy Development	To identify amendments in legislation to support observer program activities To develop national continuity with regard to hiring, training, safety and health, and data confidentiality
Observer Support	To support observers to they are able to collect high quality data To communicate NOP activities to observer community
Program Enhancements	To identify and make recommendations on NOAA’s priorities and how observers can help To review regional observer programs and suggest improvements To review cost efficiency and effectiveness of observer program
Outreach and Education	To communicate the goals and objective of NOAA at a national level To design and implement outreach activities To formalize working relationships
International	To support and participate in the International Fisheries Observer Conference To maintain awareness of observer programs worldwide

Observer Providers

Name	Fisheries Covered
A.I.S., Inc.	New England and Mid-Atlantic Gillnet and Trawl Atlantic Scallop Dredge
Alaskan Observers, Inc.	At-Sea Hake North Pacific Groundfish West Coast Groundfish
East West Technical Services LLC	Atlantic Scallop Dredge
Frank Orth & Associates	California/Oregon Driftnet California Longline
IAP World Service	Atlantic Longline Gulf of Mexico and Southeastern Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish
MRAG Americas Inc.	North Pacific Groundfish Hawaii Longline AMMOP
NWO, Inc.	At-Sea Hake North Pacific Groundfish
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission	West Coast Groundfish
Saltwater Inc.	At-Sea Hake North Pacific Groundfish/AMMOP
TechSea International	At-Sea Hake North Pacific Groundfish

Data Usage

Scientific data are the foundation of fisheries management. To manage fisheries, data are needed not only for species targeted by a fishery, but for all species in the ecosystem. Observers are the only source of independent data collection for some types of at-sea information. Bycatch, catch composition, and gear configuration cannot be seen otherwise. This data are used to support the National Marine Fisheries Service in their effort for conservation and management activities. These include: Bycatch Reduction, Stock Assessment, Protected Species, Gear Research, and Fisheries Regulations.

Note: Fisheries inspection programmes, conducted by officials with enforcement powers are not to be considered observer programmes. Though observers may be tasked to register compliance with fisheries regulations, it must be noted that observers do not have enforcement powers and are not to be considered enforcement agents.

In the United States, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration oversees the Domestic Observer program.

External links

• Association for Professional Observers (APO
  Apo
  Apo or APO may refer to:* African Press Organization* Acting Pilot Officer, the lowest commissioned grade in the Royal Air Force* Acute Pulmomary Oedema, fluid accumulation on the lungs...
  
  )
• National Marine Fisheries Service: National Observer Program
• Fisheries Observer Conference (FOC)