Ocean Career: Marine Biologist at AIS

At-Sea Monitors

AIS is recruiting At-Sea Monitors to work at sea collecting and recording data and biological samples for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFCS) aboard commercial fishing vessels.

The primary goals of Northeast federal fishery observation programs are to provide quantitative biological, vessel, and gear-selectivity information for the various New England and Mid-Atlantic fisheries. The At-Sea Monitor program focuses specifically on the groundfish industry, a grouping of fish that includes many commonly consumed fish such as cod, haddock and various flounder species. Each fishery observer or monitor operates on commercial fishing vessels operating in ports throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

If you ever wanted to make a difference, this is how.

Commercial fishing dates back hundreds of years. Today commercial fishing continues to be possible due to cooperation between fishermen and fisheries management scientists like yourself. In order to facilitate that cooperation, fisheries observers collect data pertaining to fishing programs, economics, catch data, and fishing efficiency. Collected data is used to document stock information which is then used to protect the environment and preserve future generations of fish/fishermen.

Commit to the journey!

At-Sea Monitors record detailed information on the gear and fishing activity of the vessels. Monitors work on deck on vessels ranging from 20' to 100' on trips roughly ranging from 1 to 14 days collecting data on fish catch and discard and incidental takes such as marine mammals, seabirds and marine turtles. After attending a 3-7-week paid training (length dependent on COVID-19 restrictions) that may involve both remote and in-person training in Falmouth, MA monitors are deployed from ports throughout New England and Mid-Atlantic states.

Gear types assessed include, trawl, gillnet, longline and handline.

Accommodations and meal reimbursement during in person session of training are provided. Training includes instructions on sampling protocols, gear, fisheries, fish identification, marine mammal/sea turtle identification, and safety.

This is a challenging job and candidates must be mentally prepared to be away from home for multiple days, and must be physically able to handle heavy lifting, working odd hours, and long days in rough seas. Observing provides an excellent career in marine biology, as observers and monitors are widely recognized as being excellent field biologists. A broad range of advancement opportunities are available to those who demonstrate appropriate capabilities.

Those opportunities include, but are not limited to, project management, field supervisors, and fieldwork in other programs.

Compensation:
Monitors will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated and total compensation will vary depending on employee's availability and fishing effort. These are full–time positions based on an expectation of achieving a minimum of 36 sea days per quarter with an income potential of $30K to $50K+. Monitors will be paid a minimum of 12 hours of work pay for each day at sea and may be eligible for additional paid time while on land.

AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Potential additional compensation consists of Data quality bonuses, Service awards, Fitness center reimbursement, Candidate Referral bonus

Travel is reimbursed at an hourly rate along with compensation for miles accrued on a personal vehicle as well as per diem at the specified Government rate.

• High school diploma is required
• Experience with data entry on computers.
• Monitor candidates must be U.S. citizens, or be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Candidates must be physically able, as determined by a licensed physician's certification to perform observer duties.
• Your own transportation is required.
• Candidates are expected to commit to the program for at least one year.

• Bachelor's degree in Biology or a related field from an accredited college or university with 30 credits of biology coursework, 6 credits of…