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NMFS Alaska Groundfish Fishery Observer Program

As the American harvest of groundfish resources replaced the foreign and joint-venture fisheries, domestic observer programs were implemented to provide biological data to take the place of the database formerly provided by the Foreign Fisheries Observer Program. Observer coverage is required on vessels and at shore-side plants harvesting or processing groundfish species within the Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ, 3-200 miles offshore) of the United States. Currently all vessels over 60 feet require observer coverage. Vessels under 125 feet in length require 30% coverage of fishing days and vessels 125 feet or greater require 100% coverage. Some vessels are required to carry two observers while fishing under the American Fisheries Act (AFA) or Community Development Quotas (CDQ).

Observer Duties

As a Groundfish Observer, you are expected to perform the following duties during the majority of groundfish harvesting effort, seven days a week.  These procedures will require you to work long and unscheduled hours. 

1. Maintain records of the total groundfish catch, location of fishing, and fishing effort of every fishing operation conducted.
2. Determination of the catch composition of the permitted catch of groundfish and determination of the incidental catches of by-catch and prohibited species.
3. Collection of biological data from designated species which include, but are not limited to: length and weight frequency measurements, collection of age structures (scales/otoliths), and retrieval of tags from tagged fish.
4. Record the species, number, and condition of marine mammals taken in fishing operations, or interacting with the fishing gear.
5. Collection of biological data from marine mammals incidentally killed in fishing operations.
6. Periodic (daily or weekly) reports which convey the estimated catches of permitted and prohibited species, the species and count of marine mammals incidentally caught or killed, and measures of the vessel's fishing effort.
7. Collection of data on the design and operation of the fishing gear, fish processing techniques, and product recovery rates.

Working as an observer in Alaskan waters is physically and mentally demanding. Rough seas are common, initial bouts of seasickness are very uncomfortable for many people, and the environment can be cold, wet and unpleasant. Vessel lengths range from 60 feet to over 300 feet. Limited on board space makes living and working conditions relatively cramped. On many vessels fishing takes place 24 hours a day, and while a majority of trips last anywhere from one day to a couple of weeks, some vessels are equipped to go out to sea for longer than a month. The work schedule of an observer follows the vessel’s fishing practices and is often erratic and unpredictable, making it impossible to adhere to regular sleeping patterns. A typical day’s activities include heavy lifting (up to 80 pounds), climbing ladders, and working on rolling, slippery decks. There is minimal access to amenities such as phones, computers and mail, both on the vessels and at Alaskan fishing ports.

MRAG works with a large number of shoreside longline vessels in the Gulf of Alaska during the spring and summer Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) sablefish season. We also provide observers to the catcher processor longline fleet fishing in the Bering Sea from Dutch Harbor, Alaska. MRAG deploys observers in the shoreside trawl and pot gear catcher fleets in Kodiak, King Cove, Dutch Harbor, and Akutan.

Wages & Benefits

Our salary schedule is listed below.  Air transportation is paid from point of hire to the point of vessel embarkation and return through point of debriefing; food and lodging are provided by the vessel or MRAG. All days at sea and in port are paid at the daily rate. Days between vessels (waiting days) in Anchorage are paid at half the daily rate, after the first five, and at the full rate after 10, with meal reimbursement and lodging throughout. Anchorage lodging is provided at the MRAG bunkhouse.

Download the 2008 Groundfish Observer Contract.

For more information on required qualification and benefits please visit our Employment Page.