A shellfish observer measures a king crab for legal size. Shellfish observers are placed on king crab, Tanner crab and snow crab vessels in the Bering Sea.
Observer Training Center

Each year, hundreds of people nationwide spend months aboard commercial fishing vessels as observers. Working independently alongside the fishers, the job they do is strenuous and the sea conditions can be extreme, but the work is adventurous and friendships made along the way are rewarding.

Formed in 1991, UAA’s North Pacific Fisheries Observer Training Center (OTC) trains students to become observers for collecting critical information for federal and state agencies that manage Alaska’s fisheries.

Earning between $130 - $200 per day, with traveling expenses paid, observers travel across Alaska to major fishing ports such as Dutch Harbor and Kodiak to record fishing efforts, locations and rates, determine composition of catch and bycatch, monitor regulatory compliance and to prepare reports among other duties.

The OTC offers three Observer Training Programs:

• Groundfish Observers train to work on behalf of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
• Shellfish & Scallop Observers work on behalf of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
• Marine Mammal Observers work on behalf of the Protected Resources Division of NMFS.

A bachelor's degree in biology, natural science, or environmental science is required to become a fisheries observer (Groundfish Observers must also have completed one class each of statistics and math for a total of five credits). Observers in Alaska are hired by one of five private contractors serving as observer providers. Once accepted by an observer provider company, a potential observer must successfully complete a two to three week training course. Training covers sampling responsibilities, fish identification, and safety at sea using a wet lab, fish and shellfish collections, bird and coral collections, sampling gear facility and UAA’s pool.

Observers qualify for three 400-level credits from UA’s School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. For more information contact the OTC.

The OTC is funded by the Alaska Sea Grant College Program via a grant from NOAA.