6 Palauans to undergo fisheries observer training

The training, which is administered by coordinators and observers from the Forum Fisheries Agencies, started on Wednesday and will end on Aug. 8.There were 20 individuals who applied but only nine made it following the pre-selection test and selection process.The applicants took the test on Monday and Tuesday last week.The trainers are Timothy James Park, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency observers program manager from the Solomon Islands; Peter Sharples, port sampler and observer coordinator of New Caledonia; S. Joseph Arceneaux, training coordinator from the Pacific Islands Regional Office in Honolulu, Hawaii; and Siosifa Fukofuka, port sampler and observer trainer, Secretariat of the Pacific Community.Participants will learn about data collection and management, port sampling and vessel logsheets, vessel types, characteristics and gear operation and preparedness for an extended trip to sea.Also to be discussed are sea turtle identification, dolphin and whale identification, ship’s time, latitude and longitude, vessel position, plotting, distance and course, charting, longline fishing method and operation.The trainers will also conduct a navigation test for the participants.Ellender Ngiraketii, Palau Division of Marine Law Enforcement chief, said the participants are private individuals who want to be certified as Observers.Palau has 30 certified observers but only nine are active.An observer is paid $75 per day.