Who's watching the watchdog?

Harassment reports against fishing observers double

Posted by Andrew Sharpless (Guest Contributor) at 10:57 AM on 07 Sep 2007

Read more about: fishing | oceans | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

In just one year, attacks have doubled on government observers contracted to collect catch and bycatch information from commercial fishing fleets.

Observers are the only independent source of data we have for tracking catches, monitoring quotas and recording harmful activity. They're contracted under NOAA, an agency within the Department of Commerce that conducts environmental research.

But the agency has ceased collecting data on reports of harassment or interference, supposedly because it lacks resources to investigate these matters.

Without observers, we truly have no way of knowing whether laws implemented to protect sea life and habitat are followed. So we've got observers in place to protect marine life, but who's protecting the observers?

For story: Who's watching the watchdog?
3 Comments | Post a Comment

Who's protecting the observers?

Three summers ago, I was inbetween schools and took a summer job as a fishery observer here in Canada. Most of my trips were excellent, the crews were accommodating and understanding of the position. However, there was one trip, my first scallop trip actually that was a living hell. The captain was mean and insulting almost from the start. The first morning I woke up he told me if I developed a conscience at all, there were work gloves below (like I didn't have enough to do already..)

Then one morning, I woke up and the position indicator on the computer screen was off. He had the position wrote down on paper for me...I asked him if I could try to fix the computer program, but he flat out denied the request, and I told him I would have to make note of that. I was never so glad to see land, I honestly thought that if I was out there much longer, I would have been down to see Davie Jones...

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves. ~Tolstoy

by Tonita at 1:33 PM on 07 Sep 2007

Appalling

More info that will hopefully encourage people to either go vegetarian or only eat locally-caught seafood.

Remember to boycott Canadian seafood:
www.RestaurantsForSeals.org

by amc89 at 1:52 PM on 07 Sep 2007

"Western at sea"

Actually, it is surprising that there are not many more cases of harassment. The observers must be very brave people, to go alone out to sea with a gang of guys resentful and fearful at being observed. One could hardly ask them to be any more than frostily civil.

Apparently it is becoming fashionable for the fishers to be as uncooperative, obstructive and even threatening toward the observer on board. After all, they dislike the situation, and they can get away with acting out.

So, if the metaphor from the Ranger video, "Western at sea," is accurate, observers board fishing vessels the way newly appointed sheriffs would arrive in towns dominated by varmints. In that case, it almost seems criminal to send them to do their job unarmed.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 11:47 PM on 07 Sep 2007

ADVERTISING POLICY

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