The Pelagic Observer Program monitors a mobile United States pelagic longline fleet ranging from Newfoundland along the Western Atlantic, to Brazil and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. The program’s 15 to 20 observers gather data to evaluate the harvest and status of pelagic fish stocks.
During an average year, the combined observer corps will spend over 1,500 days total at sea, on trips lasting from 2 to 45 days, observing approximately 1,000 hauls. Begun in 1992, the program, managed by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, targets 8-percent coverage of the vessels based on the fishing effort of the fleet.
Contacts
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Observer Office Phone: 1-800-858-0624
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Observer Office E-mail: popobserver@noaa.gov
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Program Coordinator: Observer Branch Chief Scott Leach
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Program Staff
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Sascha Cushner: Debriefer & Violation Liaison
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Andy Davis: Equipment & Safety
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Stephen Davies: Debriefer
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Cody Rewis: Alternative Gear Observer Coordinator
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Meredith Beverly: Observer Coordinator
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