Alaska scallop observers gather data for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) onboard commercial boats fishing out of ports in the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. Most of the assignments are based out of Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Yakutat or Cordova, Alaska.
A typical boat in the scallop fleet is an 80-foot catcher vessel. Conditions vary widely, but all require observers to be flexible, resourceful, able to work long hours, and capable of doing some heavy lifting (up to 60 pounds). The workday is determined by the vessel's fishing schedule and can range from 5-15 hours a day.
Trips in the scallop program range from 20 to 30 days at sea.
Scallop Observer Duties
- Collect scallop shells
- Collect data on shell size, sex and type
- Document bushel weights
- Record fishing effort and location
- Identify by-catch invertebrates, fish, shellfish, corals, etc.
- Report data by radio to ADF&G
Specific Scallop Observer Requirements
In addition to the general requirements that must be met by all observer candidates (see About Observing), scallop observers must also be able to:
- use a radio for communications
Scallop Observer Training
Scallop observer training courses are 2 weeks long and are offered once a year in June at the Observer Training Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Please see the current Observer Training Schedule.
Candidates must pass this training with at least a 90% grade on the final exam to be eligible for a contract with Saltwater.
All candidate resumes and transcripts must be submitted by Saltwater to ADF&G 30 days prior to the start of the training. Saltwater must receive them at least one week in advance of this deadline. Please see How Do I Apply?
