Observer Safety
At-sea monitors and observers play a critical role in supporting our science and management, and their health and safety is a top priority.
Observer Safety Is Paramount
For more than four decades, fishery observers and at-sea monitors have collected data from U.S. commercial fishing and processing vessels, as well as from shore-side processing plants. Our top concern is ensuring both a professional working environment and the safety of our more than 900 observers and at-sea monitors. We are committed to ensuring they work in a safe environment, with the right equipment, and on vessels are that seaworthy.
The cornerstone of our approach has been active partnerships between NOAA Fisheries, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, the contractors who hire observers, the fishing industry, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the observers. We have developed and implemented world-class safety and training programs. In fact, most at-sea observer and monitoring programs require an intensive 2- to 3- week course that includes training in fishing and safety regulations, as well as at-sea survival skills. Observers also participate in regular safety briefings to keep their knowledge current.
NOAA released a Notice on Preventing Observer Harassment to all vessel owners and operators who are required to carry fishery observers. The notice reminds all vessel owners and operators of the responsibility to provide a safe working environment for fishery observers carried on their vessels. Mistreatment of observers is unlawful and the detection and prosecution of such violations is one of our highest enforcement priorities.
Fishing Can Be Dangerous
U.S. fisheries are among the safest in the world. However, fishing boats can be dangerous places and our observers and at-sea monitors may sometimes find themselves in vulnerable situations. Commercial fishing ranks among the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Fishermen are at sea for long periods of time, surrounded by heavy machinery, stormy weather, and slippery surfaces. The working conditions are tough, and because fishery observers and at-sea monitors work alongside fishermen every day, they face the same perils and hazards.
Observers encounter other dangers as well. Most of the time, observers are seen by fishermen as an asset, part of the science and management system helping maintain fisheries at sustainable levels. But there are times when their role in monitoring compliance may put them at odds with a crew, and on occasion tensions can arise between observers and their shipmates.
Safety Trainers Workshops
To ensure that our observers are trained well and have all the safety skills necessary for their work, we continuously and meticulously train our instructors. For example, we sponsor the Marine Safety Instructor Training workshop, which helps ensure that observers are well-prepared for the dangers they might encounter on the open ocean.
One of the key goals of the workshop is to promote consistent training among our safety programs in different regions of the country. It brings instructors together to share their knowledge and experiences regarding marine safety techniques and equipment, data-sampling procedures, and enhanced teaching methods. The course is taught by a U.S. Coast Guard-approved marine safety course provider. We have sponsored the Marine Safety Instructor Training workshop for more than 20 years, and the program continues to expand. Topics covered during the workshop include:
-
Emergency procedures
-
Risk assessment
-
How to conduct effective drills
-
Navigation regulations
-
Cold-water survival skills
-
Firefighting
-
Life rafts
-
Abandon-ship procedures
-
Helicopter rescue
-
Personal flotation devices
-
Flooding control
-
Cross-cultural communication
Safety Review
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving and strengthening our safety programs, we launched a comprehensive review in 2016 of all aspects of fishery observer and at-sea monitor safety and health. We wanted to identify any possible gaps and recommend improvements. Led by a team of outside auditors, the review focused on seven key areas:
-
Safety reporting
-
Communications
-
Practices and policies
-
Training
-
Regulations
-
Equipment
-
International issues
The safety review gathered and assessed information from our stakeholders and partners, recommended improvements, and developed continuing self-evaluation tools for the regional observer programs. NOAA Fisheries is working with our national and regional observer programs, as well as observer provider companies, to implement recommendations from the report. This will ensure all observers have what they need to stay safe and healthy on board.