Two Fishermen Needed to work with the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP)
Fishing Industry Liaison position description:
The Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) is seeking to hire 2 fishermen to act as fishery liaisons in the Northeast and Mid‐Atlantic areas. The overall goals of this project are
threefold: to improve communications between the NEFOP and fishermen, to educate fishers on program protocols and policies, and to provide a direct avenue for feedback from fishermen
to the program. Individuals would spend time learning about the role of the observer, the objectives of the program, regulations governing the program and general protocols and
policies. Liaisons would work to educate fishermen on the late observer policy, data release policy, data collection protocols, how to fill out a comment card, sampling and subsampling
protocols and pre‐trip notification requirements, for example, at the docks or on the road. Liaisons would work to clarify the at‐sea role of the observer or at‐sea monitor . Liaisons would
meet observers or monitors in the field to troubleshoot possible problems or communication issues they may be having with fishermen. The liaisons would provide feedback to the program
specifically focusing on concerns that fishermen have related to observer performance, data collection, sampling, safety, priorities and protocols. Liaisons would work with the program to
improve data quality by providing information related to fishing practices, effort and fishing behavior for use during training and verification of data during testing. Liaisons would
participate in observer and monitor trainings in order to assist in educating trainees on common vessel practices to better prepare them for their job duties. Through conducting
regular debriefings, the liaisons would have the opportunity to communicate their ideas and thoughts and share input from other fishermen on the general operation of the program. The
NEFOP values input from fishermen and is looking to develop an outreach mechanism and provide an avenue for the industry to vocalize their thoughts and ideas on the program and its
protocols.
Requirements/Tasks:
Successful candidates will submit a resume electronically to Amy.Van.Atten@noaa.gov and Sara.Wetmore@noaa.gov along with a cover letter that details experience and interest in the
position. Please describe applicable fisheries experience specifically, and involvement in any fisheries research programs (university, government, non‐governmental organization) or any
involvement in experimental gear research, cooperative research, study fleet, New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) or Mid‐Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC)
meetings, NEFMC or MAFMC Plan Development Team (PDT) or committee meetings. Experience in fisheries research, outreach, or general interest in fisheries management is highly
desirable. Attending a 2 week at‐sea monitor training (or particular sessions) will be necessary in order to develop basic program knowledge. Access to a computer and possession of a valid
driver’s license are also requirements. Travel to fishing ports is required. Applicants must not have previous or current (ongoing investigations) of fisheries violations.
General Evaluation Factors:
1. Experience in a fishery that the NEFOP has covered in the past 2 years
2. Experience with an observer or monitor onboard a fishing vessel in the past year
3. Knowledge of multiple fisheries and how they operate
4. Fisheries research experience desirable
5. Knowledge of location and access to ports in New England or the Mid‐Atlantic areas
6. Interest in and knowledge of the fisheries management process
7. Interest in and knowledge of the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program
8. Ability to communicate well with observers, monitors, program staff and fishermen
Deliverables:
Fishery Liaisons will provide weekly reports to the NEFOP detailing their progress. Semimonthly meetings will occur, at the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program Falmouth
Technology Park facility, in order to discuss the reports and events that have occurred and/or the solutions and plans for outreach. These meetings will also provide time for educating the
liaisons more thoroughly on program policies, protocols, general program operations and any new issues that have arisen that need attention. They will also provide a chance for in‐depth
briefings by liaisons to program staff on fishermen’s concerns and discussions of actions to be taken to address them.
Background:
The Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) deploys trained observers onboard commercial fishing vessels in order to collect fishery‐dependent data, in a variety of fisheries
across the New England and Mid‐Atlantic regions. The NEFOP covers trips targeting Atlantic herring, monkfish, shrimp, spiny dogfish, fluke, scallop, croaker, weakfish and groundfish, on a
monthly basis. Data collection consists of quantifying both the kept and discarded portions of the catch on a haul by haul basis, sampling and/or subsampling bycatch, collection of haul level
location information and detailed biological sampling of fish and protected species. In May, 2010 an amendment (Amendment 16) to the multi‐species groundfish fishery management
plan was implemented and a new component of the NEFOP, the at‐sea monitoring (ASM) program, began. The program objectives are to accurately quantify the discarded portion of
the catch, focusing on groundfish species managed under the new sector management system. At‐sea monitors are also quantifying kept catch, recording location information and
documenting protected species interactions. The monitors are less focused on biological sampling of the catch in order to prioritize the accuracy of their discard sampling or estimation
of discard weights. The implementation of this program at a much higher coverage rate than previously targeted nearly doubled the size of the NEFOP. This increase in size brought over
100 new trainees into the field and this, along with new protocols and management requirements for fishermen has resulted in situations where it has been difficult for monitors
and seasoned observers to accomplish their job duties. In order to improve the overall working environment for at‐sea monitors and observers in all the fisheries the NEFOP covers, to educate
fishermen more directly in regard to program protocols and policies, and to incorporate more input from fishermen into the training and operational protocols of the program, we are hiring
fishery liaisons to work closely with NEFOP program staff.
Period of Performance:
These positions are both part‐time, 1 year funded positions
Compensation: $20-$22/hour + benefits if over more than 20 hours/week. Benefits include health, dental, and retirement plans as well as paid vacation, sick and federal holiday leave.