About The Alaska Marine Mammal Observers Program

About the Program The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to measure and report on the effects of commercial fisheries to marine mammal stocks. This information is collected through the Marine Mammal Observer Program. The general purpose of this program is to:

• determine the number of marine mammal and seabird interactions (injury and/or mortality) during the course of fishing operations,
• identify fishing methods that increase/decrease interactions,
• and record by-catch and discard levels of all catch species.

The Southeast Alaska drift gillnet fishery is a Category II fishery, and prone to marine mammal observer coverage under the MMPA. A marine mammal observer program will occur in Alaska Department of Fish and Game management districts 6 and 8 during the 2012-2013 salmon fishing season.

Marine Mammal Observers

Marine mammal observers will gather information on marine mammal and seabird interactions with the salmon drift gillnet fleet in District 6 and 8 during 2012 and 2013. The fishing season runs from mid-June to late-September, with three to five commercial openings per week. While on assignment observers will collect data about the commercial drift gillnet operations, and will identify marine mammals, seabirds, and salmon and non-salmon fish species. Sampling and paperwork require observers to work five to twelve hours a day, six or seven days a week. The observer workdays will depend on individual fishing schedules, fishery openers, and NMFS sampling protocols.

During the program observers will be primarily based out of the towns of Petersburg and/or Wrangell. During commercial fishing periods observers may also stage out of remote housing or cabins in closer proximity to the fishing grounds. Observers will conduct all observations from 23’ closed-cabin work vessels, and may occasionally utilize float planes or larger vessels for transport.

Observers can expect to be working in strenuous field conditions and exposed to frequent bad weather. Southeast Alaska is a temperate rainforest, with conditions similar to the Pacific Northwest. Summer temperatures range from 40° to 70° F, and winds may vary between 5 and 40 knots. Observers work most often outdoors, spending hours at a time exposed to cold, windy, and wet weather. While the inside waters of Southeast Alaska are relatively protected from open ocean conditions, persistent winds and strong tides can still create rough seas. Thus, seasickness is a possibility while working.

Observers will frequently interact with fishermen to collect information during the program. Good communication skills are imperative, including the ability to communicate about different viewpoints or emotionally charged issues. The nature of this work requires observers to act independently while contributing to the success of the entire program. Strong judgment is required to make decisions concerning weather, safety, and work schedules. A flexible attitude is also necessary to adapt to the established routine on the fishing grounds and the dynamic nature of the fishery. In previous marine mammal observer programs the most successful observers were tactful, self-confident, and excellent communicators.

Marine Mammal Observer Duties:

The duties of marine mammal observers include:

• Collect and record scientific data using observations of commercial drift gillnet fishing operations, including gear deployment, gear, retrieval, marine mammals and seabirds
• Make estimates of quantity and species of fish caught, retained, or discarded, utilizing knowledge of statistically valid sampling methods
• Collect and record information and /or measurements of selected portions of the fishing gear
• Conduct standardized surveys of marine mammal diversity and abundance
• Identify marine bird, marine mammal, and fish by species
• Collect and record information about fishing effort using interviews with fishermen and/or alternate methods
• Maintain and/or monitor communications with fishermen regarding anticipated fishing schedules
• Collect and/or photograph biological specimens, and take biological measurements
• Conduct in-season data review and editing
• Conduct in-season data entry to computers
• Complete in-season and final debriefings of data
• Maintain field equipment and supplies

Training: The marine mammal training class will be an intensive two-week course, Monday through Friday, held in Anchorage, Alaska with additional training in the field. Training will begin late-May 2012. Training will include a combination of class work, homework assignments, field exercises, tests and quizzes. The training will cover Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program mission and purpose, observer duties and responsibilities, fishing operations, data collection procedures, observer safety, conflict resolution, species identification and biological sampling, data recording, and gear use and maintenance. Successful completion will be based on 90% average of homework, test, and quiz scores, in addition to evaluation of observer’s ability to working independently and cooperatively within the fishing community.

Marine Mammal Observer Requirements:

Observer candidates will be evaluated based on prior observer experience, academic credentials, personality attributes, physical fitness, and experience with commercial fisheries. Observers must meet the following requirements:

• Prior fisheries or marine mammal observer experience with successful standing
• At least 90 days prior at-sea observer experience
• Bachelor's degree or higher in the natural sciences with a minimum of 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological sciences, and at least one undergraduate course in math or statistics
• Experience in systematic observations and making clear, concise scientific notes/records
• Possess excellent inter-personal skills, and demonstrate responsibility, maturity, and self-motivation
• Have the ability to work independently without direct supervision, yet follow technical instructions
• Able to live in close quarters with others for extended periods in a professional setting
• Pass a physical exam six months prior to deployment
• Have physical ability to carry out the duties of an observer, and work at sea for extended periods without medical restrictions
• Ability to withstand and/or not be debilitated by chronic motion sickness
• Have current first aid and CPR certifications
• Experience in primitive living or remote camping, including having outdoor skills and etiquette • Pass a criminal background check
• Successfully pass training with an average of 90% or better on homework, tests and quizzes
• Ability to communicate clearly in English, both verbally and in writing
• United States citizen or non-citizen legally residing in the U.S. for at least 3 years and have legal Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) visa status

Preferred Experience

The following experience is preferred, although not required, in observer applications. Please indicate in your resume if you possess the following skills or abilities:

• Experience working or observing from small boats or skiffs
• Experience in handling or operating small boats
• Basic outboard operation and maintenance
• Training and certification in wilderness preparedness
• Experience working or observing salmon net (drift, set, seine) fisheries
• Prior marine mammal or seabird research experience
• Experience using communication or navigational equipment, including VHF radio, GPS, and/or radar
• Experience in data entry or database management

Selected candidates for hire will be asked to provide the following:

• Signed and dated physical exam from licensed physician
• Copies of current first aid and CPR certifications
• A letter of recommendation from your employer related to your previous observer experience

Lead Observers

We are additionally recruiting for lead observers for the marine mammal observer program. The lead observer(s) will act as a field coordinator and primary debriefer to fishery observers. He/she will be the primary field contact to address sampling, data, and deployment issues. The lead observer duties include:

• Schedule and track observer deployments and data debriefing
• Conduct data debriefing, and final data review, editing, and entry
• Oversee implementation of observer standard operating and data entry procedures, make recommendations to adapt as necessary
• Maintain directly or oversee communications with fishermen to schedule observer sampling trips
• Maintain directly or oversee interviews with fishermen to collect fishing effort information
• Submit in-season data reports to NMFS
• Oversee the maintenance of field equipment and supplies
• Oversee the completion of observer pre-departure vessel safety procedures
• May also perform all standard observer duties, as needed

If interested in Alaska Marine Mammals Observer Position please see How Do I Apply? Complete the standard Observer Application form and indicate your interest in the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program. You will be asked to fill out a supplemental application, indicating your skills and experience as they relate to this program. If you are interested in being considered for a lead position please indicate as such on this application. As part of the standard application process you will need to upload copies of your college/university transcripts and recent resume. As part of the supplemental observer application you will need to upload a scientific writing sample authored by you. A writing sample may include a scientific publication, technical report, research thesis, or term paper. Sending scientific figures and tables is not necessary.