Attachment_2_-_Observer_Eligibility.pdf

Attachment 2

NOAA Fisheries Observer Eligibility/Medical Fitness

1. NOAA Fisheries Eligibility Standards:

Introduction/Background

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries

Service (NOAA Fisheries) Observer programs deploy Observers to collect data required for fishery conservation and management. As observer data are a critical and essential tool used in key management decisions, Observers must meet minimum standards to help ensure professionalism, prevent conflict of interests and promote agency credibility.

National Minimum Eligibility Standards for Marine Fisheries Observers

Education/Experience

Unless the Regional Administrator or Science Director has waived this requirement, observer candidates must have: 1) a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the natural sciences and a minimum of 30 semester hours or equivalent in the biological sciences, 2) at least one undergraduate course in math or statistics; and 3) experience with data entry on computers. All relevant course work must have been performed at a level acceptable for credit at the candidate’s academic institution.

Regional Administrators and Science Directors may waive the education and experience requirements of this section if an observer candidate has acquired the required skills to be considered eligible for observer training through an authorized alternative training program. The alternate training program must include activities and functions including, but not limited to:

a) participating in ocean fishing activities;

b) observing ocean fishing activities;

c) participating in fisheries research cruises;

d) recording data on marine mammal sightings and fishing activities;

e) tallying incidental take of marine mammals, sea turtles, and sea birds from fishing platforms;

f) collecting biological samples and specimens from postmortem animals;

g) entering data into a database using computers; or

h) completion of a biological training program, equivalent to that received as part of a bachelor’s degree, conducted by or approved by NMFS with the specific objective of preparing potential candidates for observer training.

Training Requirement

Observer candidates must complete required observer training by passing a written and/or oral tests with an overall score of 80% or greater detailed by the program they wish to work in. In addition, candidates must successfully complete the safety training that includes reviewing the risks of participating in hands on training as identified in the acknowledgment of risk form.

Failure to pass a training course for one program does not preclude participation in other programs.

Additionally, the Experienced PROP Observer must pass all refresher tests given in subsequent years with 90% score for each section of the exam.

Conflict of Interest

(A) An Observer:

1) May not have a direct financial interest, other than the provision of observer services, in the fishery, including, but not limited to,

(i) Any ownership, mortgage holder, or other secured interest in a vessel or processor involved in the catching, taking, harvesting or processing of fish;

(ii) Any business involved with selling supplies or services to any vessel or processor in the fishery;

(iii) Any business involved with purchasing raw or processed products from any vessel or processor in the fishery.

2) May not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary value from anyone who either conducts activities that are regulated by

NMFS or has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the Observer’s official duties.

3) May not serve as Observers on any vessels or at any processors owned or operated by a person who previously employed the observers in another capacity (e.g., as a crewmember).

4) May not solicit or accept employment as a crewmember or an employee of a vessel or processor while employed by an observer provider.

(B) Provisions for remuneration of Observers do not constitute a conflict of interest.

Physical/Medical Condition

A licensed physician must certify not more than 12 months prior to the end of the observer training that the observer candidate is physically and psychologically capable of serving as an

Observer. Certification must be provided to the program prior to the observer candidate’s completion of training. See below (subsection 2). This certification may not be required by all

Observer programs. Requirements will be listed in specific task orders.

Communication Skills

Observer candidates must be able to clearly and concisely communicate verbally and in writing in English.

Citizenship or ability to work legally in the U.S.

Observer candidates must be U.S. citizens, or be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

2. Medical Fitness (Requirement) –must be completed and attained by the contractor ideally before observer training, absolutely before assignment to a vessel.

Contractor statement to Physician:

Dear Physician, The attached Fisheries or PROP Observer Health Questionnaire form is to certify that the patient is physically fit to work as a Fisheries or PROP Observer on a domestic fishing vessel or any oil field or explosives related vessel. As a physician, you should understand the Observer’s job and working conditions. Physical considerations include, but are not limited to:

Being at sea with limited medical assistance for 10-30 days at a time.

Being in heavy seas that could cause chronic motion sickness.

Living in confined spaces for extended periods.

Having the ability to tolerate stress.

Lifting baskets up to 50 lb or moving 200 lb. carcasses across the deck.

Ascending and descending steep ladders to and from fishing boats at the docks.

Climbing across boats, over fishing gear, and atop wheelhouses to get to a docked vessel.

Having irregular meals, sometimes with non-traditional food, cooked in non-traditional ways.

Living on a boat with limited sanitary and/or washing facilities.

Enduring hot and cold temperatures.

Being subjected to cigarette smoke and diesel fumes.

PROP Observers must also be able to conduct visual surveys for sea turtles and marine mammals from low flying aircraft at altitudes ranging from 500-700 ft, and

Perform vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-platform transfers using a swing line, personnel transfer basket, and stepping across from one vessel to another.

Observer health questionnaire

Name:

Last First MI

Program:

Position:

Birth Date: Sex:

Work Address:

Phone:

HEALTH INFORMATION

General State of Health:

Presently under the care of a physician?

Physician’s Name: Physician’s Phone Number:

Month/Year of last Physical Exam:

List current medications (prescription and non-prescription):

1.

2.

3.

4.

List Allergies:

Allergy Reaction

List ALL active health problems:

Major Surgeries / Hospitalizations / Emergency Room Visits:

Year Reason

List Any Dietary Restrictions:

GENERAL SCREENING

As an adult, have you had or experienced?

No

Yes

Cancer:

Severe Depression:

Tuberculosis:

Paralysis:

Asthma:

Epilepsy:

Hepatitis:

Impaired Mobility:

Chronic Cough:

Severe Hearing Loss:

Coughed Up Blood:

Severe Visual Impairment:

Recent unexplained gain or loss of 20 lbs or more

Periods of

Unconsciousness:

Severe Motion Sickness:

Explain any YES answers above:

CARDIAC SCREENING

As an adult, have you had or experienced?

(and value if known)

Abnormal EKG:

Hypertension:

Recent reading:

Sedentary Life Style:

Diabetes:

HgA1C:

Family History of

Heart Attack before age 45:

High Cholesterol:

Recent reading:

Heart Attack:

Tobacco Use:

Packs/day:

Shortness of Breath:

Prolonged Chest

Pain:

Fainting spells/Syncope:

Physician certifying observer fit for duty.

The purpose of this statement is to confirm that I, a licensed physician in the state of

__________examined ________________________, an employee of

________________________ on the date noted below. He/she does not have any health problems or conditions that would jeopardize his/her safety or the safety of others while deployed as an observer. He/she does not have any health problems or conditions that would prevent him/her from performing his/her duties satisfactorily.

Prior to the examination, I was made aware of the duties of the observer and the dangerous, remote and rigorous nature of the job.

Physician’s Signature Date