We support the Pacific Island Region Observer Program (PIROP) in providing experienced debriefers who coordinate and train observers placed onboard commercial longline vessels targeting tuna and swordfish out of Hawaii and American Samoa.
Our personnel work directly with observers prior to, during, and post voyage, helping ensure the accurate, safe, and objective collection of biological information from target and non-target species; catch and discard rates; fish, sea turtle, marine mammal, and seabird identification; proper protected species handling techniques; protected species interaction documentation; fishing gear descriptions; documentation of fisheries enforcement incidents; shipboard safety at sea and emergency preparedness. We are also directly involved in an innovative projects within the program to implement a mobile data collection tool to expedite compilation of fisheries-dependent data by our on-board observers, which will greatly reduce effort required to collect, aggregate, and process observer data for use in assessing bycatch, fishing fleet coverage, and protected species distribution and general health.
Our work helps ensure the PIROP program continues to provide vital, relevant, and timely information related to commercial fishing activities that directly contribute to reducing the incidental catch of protected species in line with the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) throughout the Pacific region.