Between 22 and 38% of US federal fisheries observers experienced some form of harassment while on board the vessels, according to new research published on Jan. 28 in Marine Affairs and Policy.
Furthermore, official statistics are likely an undercount due to only 45% of victims reporting incidents of intimidation, assault and coercion, researchers said.
"This is an incredibly important study that provides positive proof that official statements don't capture the whole picture of harassment rates -- it presents a new method for better accounting for non-disclosure," NOAA Fisheries acting administrator Emily Menashes said in a statement. "The work of this team is a critical step to help us focus our continuing efforts to end these types of behavior and provide a safer working environment for fisheries observers."
Scientists at the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and special agents at the Alaska Office of Law Enforcement, undertook the study between 2016 and 2022.
In some US fisheries, on-board observers are required to serve onboard harvest vessels for extended periods to collect essential fisheries data and report potential fishing regulation violations they witness.
Rates of harassment were much higher for women (24-60%) than men (12-24%).
In 2023, NOAA released its Notice on Preventing Observer Harassment. The agency said it makes clear to vessel owners and operators carrying fishery observers that mistreatment is illegal and subject to prosecution.
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