Fisheries Observer Jobs
Fisheries observer jobs are open from entry-level to senior across federal agencies, fisheries management contractors, and environmental consulting firms, with specializations in at-sea data collection, catch monitoring, and marine mammal observation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Now Hiring:
Groundfish Observer Position:
- Training running from January 12th through January 28th, 2027.
- Full time at sea employment to begin immediately upon completion of training.
- Application documents required: Resume, College Transcript to include degree award and Cover Letter.
- Open port assignments include New Bedford, MA, Boston, MA and Gloucester, MA.
NEED A CHALLENGING, BUT REWARDING CAREER?
Fathom Resources may just have the job for you
Fathom’s Research Department Specializes in:
Marine and fisheries Data collection services, for use by scientists and industry members for the management of commercial fisheries and marine environments. Department staff include fisheries biologists, marine mammal experts and professional observers. Fathom completes work in:
- Fisheries Observer programs for the NMFS Groundfish and Atlantic Sea Scallop Programs
- Marine Mammal/Protected Species/Endangered Species Biologist Observers for construction and dredging projects
- Dockside Monitoring & Sampling of catch from commercial fishing vessels
- Electronic Monitoring Program
- Scientific and Commercial dive projects
- and More!
We are Currently Hiring Fisheries Observer Positions:
Fisheries Observers work as the only scientist on board a commercial fishing vessel. Vessels average 70 feet in length operating in ocean waters up to 200 miles offshore in all weather conditions. Trips lengths range from 7 to 15 days in length and are dependent on individual trips fishing effort. Trips require observers to live in cramped quarters in close proximity to vessel crew while at sea. Observers are responsible for the accurate recording and collection of:
- Vessel and trip statistics
- Port departure and landing times,
- Trip economic costs
- Fishing gear characteristics
- Haul information (location, target species)
- Catch (species composition, weight, disposition reason, discard information…)
- Biological samples (length frequency, otoliths, scales, vertebrae)
- Protected species information and specialized sampling
Open Position:
Fathom is currently hiring Marine Fisheries Biologists for At-sea work in the Groundfish Observer Programs. Approved candidates will attend a 2.5 week paid National Marine Fisheries Services led training. Training is fully in-person taking place in Falmouth, MA. Training includes paid training wage, provided lodging at no cost to trainee and paid meal per diem for the duration of training. New hires are to have their own lodging set up within 50 miles or closer to their assigned port no later than by the end of training.
Open port assignments include New Bedford, MA, Boston, MA and Gloucester, MA.
Marine Fisheries Biologist Requirements specific to Observing:
Candidates must possess:
- A good attitude with the desire to get your hands dirty;
- Bachelor’s degree with a major in one of the biological sciences from an accredited four-year college or university;
- At least 30 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics entomology, animal husbandry, physics or mathematics, of which at least six (6) semester hours are in marine science or fisheries.
- One year of specialized experience, performed at an acceptable level, may be substituted for the six semester hours of marine science or fisheries course work. The specialized experience must have been in the field of fisheries and included functions such as: a. observing ocean fishing activities; b. recording data for marine mammal sighting and fishing activities; c. tallying incidental takes of marine mammals, sea turtles and sea birds on fishing vessels; or d. collecting biological specimens from postmortem animals. The education requirement may be waived, on an individual basis, with approval by NMFS;
- CPR certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association;
- Basic First Aid certification;
- Candidates must not have been terminated or decertified as an observer, due to problems with data quality or standards of conduct, in any other NMFS observer program;
- Be certified to be physically fit to work as an observer including:
- Ability to swim 50 yards
- Tread water for 3 minutes
- Don a survival suit in 60 seconds or less
- Climb a ladder
- Lift 50+ lbs. and drag 200 lbs.
- Ability to live in confined quarters
- Not susceptible to chronic or debilitating motion sickness
- Be able to tolerate stress
- Be able to appreciate the unusual ‘office’ view
- Must be willing to travel, which mean you’ll need a valid driver’s license and your own reliable vehicle
- Must be able to work independently
- Must be willing to sign a contract for no less than 12 months
Highly Desired Qualifications:
- Sea and research experience
- Experience with data entry on computers
Interested applicants should provide:
- Cover letter (specific to sea experience, field work, species identification, and/or research projects);
- Resume
- Three (3) professional references contact information;
- Unofficial college transcripts with degree award noted
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Find Fisheries Observer JobsFisheries Observer Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in fisheries observer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in fisheries science, marine biology, or a related natural resource field
- Completion of NOAA-approved or NMFS-certified observer training program
- Experience collecting biological samples and recording catch data at sea
- Physical ability to work on commercial fishing vessels in variable weather conditions
- Proficiency with electronic monitoring systems and electronic logbook software
- Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential or ability to obtain one
Tips for Your Fisheries Observer Job Search
Tailor your resume for data collection
Fisheries observer postings prioritize hands-on sampling experience over general biology degrees. Highlight specific protocols you've used, species you've monitored, and electronic logbook systems you've operated. Vague lab experience won't stand out the way field data does.
Get your NOAA observer certification current
Many federal and contractor postings require active or recent NOAA-approved training. Confirm your certification status before applying, and note the completion date on your resume. Expired credentials will disqualify you at the screening stage, not the interview.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists fisheries observer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by vessel type and region
Observer roles on groundfish trawlers, longline vessels, and shoreside dockside operations have different physical demands and skill requirements. Filter your search by gear type or fishery when you can, and address the specific fishery in your cover letter.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Interviewers for observer roles commonly ask how you'd handle a hostile captain, an equipment failure at sea, or a catch that exceeds bycatch limits. Practice specific, situation-based answers that show you understand your legal reporting obligations and can stay calm under pressure.
Negotiate deployment schedules before accepting
Observer contracts vary widely in rotation length, from two-week trips to multi-month deployments. Ask directly about average days-at-sea per month, turnaround time between trips, and whether shoreside assignments are available. Rotation terms affect your quality of life more than the daily rate.
Fisheries Observer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a fisheries observer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in fisheries science, marine biology, or a related field. Complete a NOAA-approved observer training program, which covers sampling protocols, species identification, and data reporting requirements. Apply to positions with NMFS contractor organizations, demonstrate physical readiness for vessel deployments, and obtain any required federal access credentials before your first assignment.
Can you get hired as a fisheries observer with little experience?
Yes, entry-level observer roles exist specifically for candidates who have completed certified training but have limited at-sea hours. Emphasize any field data collection experience, even from academic research or internships. Shoreside dockside monitoring positions often have lower experience thresholds than vessel-based roles and are a common entry point into the field.
What does the fisheries observer interview process look like?
Most observer hiring processes include an application review, a phone or video screen focused on your training background and physical readiness, and a structured interview with scenario questions about data integrity, vessel safety, and reporting conflicts. Some programs also require a background check, drug screening, and verification of your certifications before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to fisheries observer jobs?
You can find and apply to fisheries observer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find roles that match your experience and certifications, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
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