Observers also monitor vessels for compliance with specific fishery, marine mammal, and marine pollution regulations. Observer data may be used by NMFS and other federal agencies to enforce these regulations. This is accomplished by documenting incidental takes and sightings of the animals. In 1999 observers began collecting tissue specimen from incidentally caught cetaceans. These tissue specimen are then assayed by NMML and the information is used to help identify from which stock the animals originated.
Observers collect cod and pollock stomachs.
Analysis of these specimens provide stock assessment data for months when NMFS surveys are not conducted. Several of these special projects are being conducted in 2001. Observers are carrying out the Hook Spacing Special Project in order to account for differences in hook spacing within the longline fleet. Observers are being assigned the Rex Sole, Dover sole, and Arrowtooth Flounder maturity studies. These studies augment data for stock assessment models in order to better predict the health of these stocks.