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Marine Biologists / Fisheries Observers 

Pacific Islands Regional Observer Program

Agency: Techsea International, Inc.

 

This is an entry level position based in Honolulu, HI. Three (3) week Training begins November 6th, 2017.

Salary

The starting rate for newly trained Observers is $18.15 per hour while on deployment, which increases incrementally based on experience to a maximum of $23.95 per hour. Successful candidates are paid for training and accommodations are provided while in training status. Benefits include Health Insurance, Vacation Pay, Bonus pay and cell phone reimbursement.

Last Date to Apply

10/15/2017

Description

The main duty of observers is to collect data while deployed on board commercial fishing vessels targeting tunas and swordfish. The data collected by observers includes basic biological information from target & non-target species, catch & discard rates, fishing gear descriptions, catch & interaction rates of sea turtles, seabirds and marine mammals, sightings of protected species and the collection of samples & specimens from selected species. Observers also collect valuable economic survey data.

Another important component to the observers duties include outreach to the fishers on some fishing regulations and protected species handling. The goal is to help fishers comply with certain regulations pertaining to by-catch mitigation rules.

Observers also assist on-going research projects by tagging incidentally caught sea turtles and collecting valuable skin biopsies from marine mammals. Observers may also have the chance to participate in the annual Spiny & Slipper lobster tag-recapture cruises in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Observers are frequently employed by regional fishery scientists to work as at-sea data collectors to help monitor experimental fishing techniques.

Qualifications

Biologists employed as fishery observers in the PIROP must meet the following mandatory qualifications:

Possess a Bachelor's degree with a major in one of the biological sciences from an accredited four year college or university with 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 6 semester hours are in marine science or fisheries.

Additional mandatory requirements for all applicants are:

  • Successfully passing a Federal Background Check
  • CPR and First Aid Certification
  • Successfully passing a Health Physical Exam

Observer Training

The 3 week training course will cover the following topics: 

  • Safety at Sea & First Aid
  • Species Identification
  • Protected Species Data & Handling
  • Regulations
  • Fishing Gear Characteristics
  • Data Forms, Data Collection and Data Entry

Contact Person

Josee Vincent

Contact E-Mail

piropapps@techsea.com

Website

http://www.techsea.com

Information

For more information about Conservation Connections Job Manager and this opportunity please visit our website at http://www.techsea.com/, contact us at Contact Phone or via email at piropapps@techsea.com.

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