ADF&G Shellfish Fishery Observer Program
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) administers the Alaska Shellfish Observer Program. Starting in 1988, the State began to collect data in the crab fisheries within the 200 mile Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea. Vessels were selected based on the fishery type and type of processing. In its early stages the ADF&G program was primarily an enforcement tool. In recent years and more so following the rationalization of the crab fisheries (assigning quota shares to reduce fleet size), the program has shifted focus to the biological assessment of the stocks.
Observers are assigned to Opilio Tanner Crab (snow crab) and Red King Crab catcher vessels based on a random drawing to achieve a 20% coverage level. These fisheries occur traditionally from January to April and October to November respectively. Observers are also placed on 100% of vessels direct fishing for Bairdi Tanner Crab (tanner crab) and 50% of fishing effort in the Brown King Crab catcher vessels fishing west of Dutch Harbor. There are also observer coverage requirements for the Korean Hair crab and Blue King Crab fisheries, however, low stock levels have kept these fisheries closed in recent history.
Observer Duties
As a Shellfish Observer, you are expected to perform the following duties during the majority of shellfish harvesting effort, seven days a week. These procedures will require you to work long and unscheduled hours. You will be responsible for obtaining the following types of data:
- Representative samples of biological length/width frequencies, noting shell age and condition of crab retained.
- Record daily catch rates of each catcher vessel, including number of crab retained and number of pots fished.
- Record by-catch: numbers, size, sex and condition, by species, including all crab and fish.
- Observe the compliance or lack of compliance to fishing regulations. Document situations where violations are observed.
- Document the percentage of non-legal crab not immediately returned to the sea.
- Periodic (weekly or daily) catch messages by radio to ADF&G as outlined in briefing.
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.
Grade |
Deployment Days |
Daily Rate |
1 |
0-90 |
$130 |
2 |
91-180 |
$140 |
3 |
181-270 |
$150 |
4 |
271-360 |
$160 |
5 |
361-495 |
$175 |
6 |
496-630 |
$185 |
7 |
631-765 |
$190 |
8 |
766+ |
$200 |
Download the 2008 Shellfish Observer Contract.
For more information on required qualification and benefits please visit our Employment Page.