The observer’s job duties are to accompany commercial fishing vessels on fishing trips and record information about the boat, gear, species caught and discarded, fish length frequencies, and biological samples. Observers also record incidental takes of marine mammals, sea turtles, or sea birds. Fishing vessel trip durations last from one day for smaller boats, such as gill netters, 5 -7 day trips for trawlers, and up to 10 - 14 days for scallop boats.

Home Ports

When a candidate is offered a position, they are assigned a homeport. In general, we try to match the trainees chosen location with a homeport in the same area. However, the sea day schedule determines where the homeports will be for a particular training class.

Observers work from their residence in their homeport.  The observer reports directly to their Area Coordinator (AC). The AC introduces the new observer to the port, the boats, and some of the captains. The AC may also arrange some of the initial trips for the observer. Then, it becomes the observer’s duty to become familiar with the port, contact the captains, and arrange their own trips. 

Sea Days

NMFS assigns A.I.S.,Inc. the number of observer sea days required for each gear type, port, and month. The AC provides the observer with the types of vessels, and the number of sea days the observer should obtain for that month. Since the AC is their supervisor, the observers must keep in daily contact with their AC’s to let them know how vessel coverage is going.

Trips are made when the fishermen fish, including weekends and holidays. If observers are requested to travel to a different port in order to meet these assignments, A.I.S.,Inc. pays for all travel and lodging expenses. Therefore, an observer must have their own transportation, and must be able to travel on short notice. Being flexible is key to being an observer.

Onboard Vessels

The observer works alone on the fishing vessel. Before boarding the vessel, the observer does a vessel safety check. If the vessel does not meet all the safety requirements, or or have a current US Coast Guard Safety Decal, then the observer must cancel the trip.

On a multi-day trip, the fishermen must provide the observer with comparable accommodations and food as if they were a crew member. This usually entails sharing a two bunk cabin with a crewmember. On single day trips, no accommodations are necessary and the observer will provide his/her own food.

When the vessel lands, the observer electronically uploads trip data from his/her handheld computer via a wireless internet connection. The observer calls his/her AC and reports basic information about the trip. When ashore, the observer reviews the data logs for accuracy and completeness, then sends the logs and biological samples to the NMFS at Technology Park in Falmouth. The biological samples are used for fish population age studies. 

Equipment and Pay

AIS, Inc. supplies the observers with rain gear, gloves, and an immersion suit. All measuring boards, scales, baskets, knives, data logs and other sampling equipment are also supplied. Trainees are responsible for obtaining thier own boots and warm clothing.

AIS, Inc. provides full-time employees with benefits including health, dental, and disability insurance, vacation, sick, and paid holidays. Observers are considered full-time observers if they average 12 sea days a month. 

Full-time employees are paid land hours to meet with captains, arrange trips, and to review logs after trips and send them to Woods Hole. The observer’s job is not a 40 hour/week job and land hours are not accrued if trips are not made. Most observers average between 20 and 40 land hours a month.

Conditions

The accommodations, food, and weather for observers can vary from one extreme to the other. They may encounter rough seas, cold weather, or difficult working conditions for a number of days at sea.  Food can range from very good to something less than appetizing. It will be difficult to accommodate special diets on board. The lack of medical facilities on board makes it important that each observer be fit and in good health.

Observers must be prepared, be flexible, and be willing to endure the tough times in order to enjoy the good times that come with good weather and good boats. The person who treats observing as an adventure, tends to enjoy the job the most. 

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