The objective of the Canadian Government’s At-Sea Observer Program is to provide accurate, timely, and independent third-party verification of harvesting activities at sea, as well as to provide scientific catch and sampling data to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The program is delivered jointly by the Science and Conservation & Protection branches of DFO.

Observer Training

Seawatch Inc. provides At-Sea Observer Training that meets CGSB 130.1 standards.Training is four weeks in duration and is provided at Seawatch headquarters in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Some of the topics included are as follows:

• Navigation

• Fishing vessels & gear

• Fish species identification

• Catch estimation

• Sampling & data collection techniques

• Radio communications

• Fisheries regulations

• Observer safety

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada is mandated to conserve and protect fish and fish habitat of Canada. DFO’s Fishery Guardian program is a key part of the department’s compliance strategy to protect inland fish stocks, in particular salmon, in the Newfoundland and Labrador region. Seawatch Inc. is the current contracted provider of Fishery Guardian services to DFO in Newfoundland and southern Labrador.

Guardian Training

Fishery Guardians are required to participate in a one week training course covering the following topics:

• Classroom instruction and practical training in basic self-defense, handcuffing techniques, and the use of the ASP baton and OCS

• Powers of a Fishery Guardian

• Code of Conduct

• Types of enforcement

• Notebooks

• Court procedures

• Data collection methods

• Species identification

• Fishery management plans