Commercial Fishing At-Sea Monitor Certificate

Program Statement

This certificate is designed to prepare the student for a career as an At-Sea Monitor in the commercial fishing industry. Upon successful completion of this program, students will apply for employment with approved At-Sea Monitoring Service Providers. Once hired, students will utilize their training to take the National Marine Fisheries Service At-Sea Monitoring Certification course to obtain federal certification as an At-Sea Monitor.

Program Information

• Students must demonstrate Introductory Algebra competency.
• To successfully obtain the certificate, students must attain a grade of “C” or better in the BIO 132: Marine Biology course, a “B” or better in the EGR 268: Fisheries Technologies and Monitoring Techniques, and obtain their Certificate of Completion in Offshore Survival.  Contact the program coordinator for information on how to obtain this.  
• For successful completion of the program students will be expected to participate in field trips, including trips at sea on fishing vessels and commercial whale watch vessels.
• Students must be able to lift 50 lbs, drag 200 pounds, swim 100 yards, climb ladders, tolerate stress and work long hours.
• In order to work in the field upon completion, students must be US citizens, or a non-citizen who has a green card, TN Authorization, H1 visa, or valid work visa, and a social security card.
• Students should not have a conflict of interest and thus not have any direct or indirect interest in a fishery managed under Federal regulations including, but not limited to, vessels, dealers, shipping companies, sectors, sector managers, or advocacy groups.
• For students to move from this program to the National Marine Fisheries Service At-Sea Monitoring Certification Course, they must possess a current American Red Cross certificate in CPR and First Aid.
• The National Marine Fisheries Service At-Sea Monitoring Program was established under Amendment 16 of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. It is an integral part of catch monitoring to ensure that Annual Catch Limits of fish species are not exceeded.

After Bristol

Graduates work as At-Sea Monitors with various approved At-Sea Monitoring Service Providers to the commercial fishing fleet in the Northeastern United States.