Observer Safety

The NEFSC’s Fisheries Monitoring Operations Branch (FMO) is partnering with the Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) to conduct voluntary workshops for industry members to further support observers in the field.  Observer harassment and sexual assault/sexual harassment (SASH) will be discussed. There are many basic questions/concerns related to supporting observers that could be addressed through a workshop opportunity. Common concerns include what constitutes harassment, how to communicate safety-related concerns on a particular vessel, and how OLE plans to follow up on reports. The workshop will address how captains should talk to crew members about observer harassment and SASH-related incidents as well as best practices for captains if they witness unacceptable crew behavior at sea. FMO and OLE will work to open lines of communication to create a safety culture where observers and fishermen are respected and heard.