Fisheries Observers

~ Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG) Americas promotes responsible, rational and sustainable utilization of aquatic resources. ~

We are a unique and highly motivated group of scientists and specialists with expertise in fisheries and aquatic resource science, management, and monitoring; fisheries observer programs; ecosystem and protected area management; government liaison and relations; stakeholder engagement and outreach; and international conservation and management agreements. 

Position Overview

MRAG is currently hiring Fisheries Observers to collect data while deployed onboard US domestic commercial fishing vessels. Current vacancies for upcoming trainings are focusing on observers to be based out of the Mid-Atlantic area, ranging from New Jersey to North Carolina. Company lodging is available in ports where the most work is available, for those interested. MRAG Americas is currently accepting competitive applications for a fall training to begin in late October or early November. Trainings are held in Falmouth, MA at the NOAA FSB Tech Park office.

All trainings take place in Falmouth, MA with at-sea deployments starting upon completion. Training consists of classroom days and additional at-sea training trips until certification is achieved. Fisheries Observers collect scientific, management, compliance, and other data at sea through observations of fishing operations, interviews of vessel captains and crew, photographing catch, and taking measurements of selected portions of the catch and fishing gear.

The data and information collected by observers are used to monitor the amount and disposition of catch and by-catch, understand status and trends of fish stocks and protected species, record interactions with protected species, determine the benefits derived from fishing activities, and predict impacts of existing and proposed management actions.

Observers live and sleep in cramped quarters, often in damp conditions and share common facilities. Fisheries observers are allocated to a primary port from which most trips will depart, however, observers must be willing to travel to cover locations other than their primary ports. Good communication skills are important to communicate with captains and setup observer trips.

Responsibilities

• Communicating with skippers and the MRAG Coordinator to arrange embarkation on vessels
• Conducting pre-trip safety inspection
• Communicating observer duties and data collection needs with vessel crew
• Collecting operational information, such as trip costs (i.e. price of fuel, ice, etc.)
• Collecting fishing gear information
• Collecting tow-by-tow information (i.e. depth, water temperature, wave height, vessel location, and time when fishing begins and ends)
• Recording all kept and discarded catch data on observed hauls (species, weight, and disposition)
• Recording kept catch on unobserved hauls (species, weight, and disposition)
• Collecting actual catch weights whenever possible, or weight estimates derived by sub-sampling
• Collecting whole specimens, photos, and biological samples (i.e. scales, ear bones, and/or spines from fish, invertebrates, and incidental takes)
• Recording information on interactions with protected species, such as sea turtles, porpoise, dolphins, whales, and birds

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the natural sciences
• A minimum of 30 semester hours or equivalent in the biological sciences
• At least one undergraduate course in math or statistics
• Experience with computer data entry
• Physical fitness, including the ability to swim 100 meters, tread water for three (3) minutes, don an immersion suit in less than 60 seconds, climb a ladder, lift and carry 100 pounds correctly
• Off–shore or vessel related experience preferred
• Low susceptibility to and/or a tolerance of motion sickness
• Adept at working in adverse weather conditions
• The ability to live in confined quarters with strangers in a high stress environment
• Ability to solicit and set up observer assignments independently
• Depending on circumstances, be willing and able to deploy with as little as 4 hours or less advance notice
• Current First Aid/Adult CPR certifications

Compensation

• Incentive/Bonus program to reward good performance and data quality
• Opportunities to participate in advanced training programs depending on program status and logistics
• Employee housing available in major ports depending on capacity (Nominal monthly fee applicable for full-time residents)
• Direct deposit of paycheck biweekly
• Expense reimbursements paid with payroll on biweekly basis
• Flexible scheduling and time off request policy
• Transparent, forthright communication between management, area coordinators, and observers

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your résumé, cover letter, three (3) professional references, and college transcripts.

Work will begin immediately following training and certification. Further information can be viewed on our website at our website.