Some interesting observer observations

The North Pacific Observer Program 2021 Annual Report is loaded with details on fishery observer deployment rates, costs, and compliance.

It also includes the following paragraphs under the heading "Observer Safety and Professionalism." OLE refers to NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement.

In 2021, there were 14 individual observers who reported other observers for different forms of harassment. Many of these complaints occurred at shoreside processing facilities. Observer-on-observer harassment is a disturbing trend as it is important for observers to support one another and work together. This is a topic of discussion during observer training.

During the course of different investigations, OLE received several reports that observers were engaging in sexual relations with crewmembers. Observer providers are required to have a policy in place that addresses sexual relations with crew. Sexual relations with crew can be viewed as a conflict of interest and may negatively impact data collection. OLE did not receive any reports of observers coming back to the vessels intoxicated, which has been a complaint in previous years.