Scallop observers gather biological data onboard commercial fishing boats operating off the scenic coast of Alaska.
While onboard vessels, observers identify crab, scallop, invertebrates and fish species, collect and record data on sex, weights, lengths, document the location, amount of each species caught, and track the amount of scallop product retained. This information is used by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) to manage the scallop fishery in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska.
Working conditions onboard fishing boats vary widely, but are almost always strenuous. The boats range in size from 80-foot catcher processor vessels with trips ranging from 20 to 30 days at sea. Observers often work out on an open deck, and may spend hours at a time in cold or wet weather. Biologists must be flexible and resourceful in establishing a “sampling station” and sampling methods. Sampling and paperwork require observers to work long and odd hours, seven days a week. Observers determine their own workday depending on the vessel’s fishing schedule. Meeting the sampling requirements of ADF&G and completing paperwork the same workday, observers often work 5 to 12 hours a day and rarely sleep uninterrupted for more than 7 to 8 hours. Scallop observing is hard physical work and may require lifting heavy baskets of shellfish (up to 60 pounds) throughout the day. Adapting to life onboard a boat requires certain flexibility and an ability to get along with different types of people. Accommodations onboard range from spartan to almost plush, but quarters are typically confined, and observers usually share a cabin with one to six crewmembers. Both men and women share toilet facilities. Vessels are rarely a smoke free environment.
Alaska waters are known for being rough, and seasickness is a possibility. We recommend that observers be prepared with seasick medicine, either over-the-counter or prescription medications prior to their deployment. Furthermore we suggest you leave port with at least two different medications.
Because the objectives of the observer and the crew are different, shipboard life can be stressful. The most important trait we look for in an observer is maturity, which includes adaptability, common sense, tolerance, patience, the ability to listen and understand people with different viewpoints, and thinking before acting. A flexible attitude and ability to adjust to whatever comes is very important to be able to “rough it” and adapt to the established routine onboard a fishing vessel. Successful observers are tactful, self confident, and good communicators.
Observers will be deployed out of ports along the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea. Most of the work is based in Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Yakutat, and Cordova.
Scallp Observer Duties:
Scallop Observer Training:
Scallop training classes are 2 weeks long, Monday through Friday and are offered by the Observer Training Center (OTC) in Anchorage, Alaska. The 2008 Class is scheduled Monday, June 16 to Thursday, June 26.
Resume and transcripts for observer candidates must be submitted to ADF&G 30 days prior to the beginning of training for applicant approval, which means Saltwater needs them even earlier. Please see how do I apply.
Scallop Observer Requirements:
Scallop Observer Preferred Experience (please list this experience on your resume)
- Previous ocean experience aboard boats
- Previous experience in scientific data collection and data entry.
Are you interested in what current as past observers has said about being a scallop observer? Please check out the scallop observer letters page, click letters
