Observer Programs

NOAA Fisheries-approved Protected Species Observers (PSOs) provide continuous coverage on hopper dredges operating under SARBO and GRBO requirements. Two observers typically rotate shifts of eight to 12 hours to maintain 24-hour coverage. Their observations generate much of the structured information recorded in ODESS.

Observer duties include monitoring inflow and overflow screens for evidence of take, recording species interactions, tagging or collecting biopsy samples when authorized and appropriate, attempting to resuscitate live animals, and promptly reporting takes to the appropriate USACE District and NOAA Fisheries regional office. Observers may also inspect deflectors and screens between dredging cycles and report required maintenance. On relocation trawlers, both a NOAA Fisheries-approved trawl supervisor and a PSO must be onboard.

Unconditional approval as a PSO requires qualifying biological-sciences education, completion of an approved training course, 12 hours of supervised onboard training under an unconditionally approved PSO, and 48 additional hours of independent watches while an unconditionally approved PSO is also onboard. NOAA Fisheries reviews PSO qualifications at nmfs.psoreview@noaa.gov.

Each captured or observed animal is identified, measured, and photographed and, when possible and authorized, tagged. The resulting record may include the type of capture or take, location, animal condition, gear configuration, and environmental conditions. NOAA Fisheries can use these data to assess compliance with the Incidental Take Statement in the applicable biological opinion.