The six participants from Palau and three from FSM will be certified as Observers once they complete the course.
The training, which is administered by Coordinators and Observers from the Forum Fisheries Agencies started on Wednesday and will end on August 8.
There were 20 individuals who applied for the positions but only nine made it during the pre-selection test and selection process.
The applicants took the test on Monday and Tuesday.
Trainers will be Timothy James Park, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Observers Program Manager from the Solomon Islands, Peter Sharples, Port Sampler and Observer Coordinator from New Caledonia, S. Joseph Arceneaux, Training Coordinator from Pacific Islands Regional Office in Honolulu, Hawaii and Siosifa Fukofuka, Port Sampler and Observer Trainer, Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Participants will be taught about data collection and management, port sampling and vessel logsheets, vessel types, characteristics and gear operation, preparedness for an extended trip to sea.
Sea turtle identification, Dolphin and Whales identification, Ship’s time, latitude and longitude, vessel position, plotting, distance and course, charting, longline fishing method and operation will also be discussed during the training.
The trainers will also conduct a navigation test for the participants.
Ellender Ngiraketii, Division of Marine Law Enforcement Chief said that the participants are private individuals who want to be certified as Observers.
Ngiraketii said that presently Palau has a total of 30 Observers but only nine are active.
He said they wanted full time Observers because some of the current Observers are not working full time because they are also working for other agencies.
Observers are paid $75 per day.
