West Africa Regional Scientific Observer Training Manual, Forms and Lesson Plans

Regional Scientific Observer Training Manual Version 1.2 (11-2012 draft zipped MS word file, 34.2 MB; PDF, 13.5 MB; last updated November 20, 2012 - this version does not vary substantially from the 3-2012 version, the only difference is a corrected math error in Figure 5-1) French version - click here

Note: this is a generic version of the manual and country specific informatoin will need to be added for Appendices 1-3

Observer Logbook MS Word v1.2 A4 (or PDF; February 29, 2012) - Purpose - provides an overview and essential information for each trip. Includes Trip Summary form, Safety Checklist, Compliance Checklist, daily notes and calculations for total catch estimates.

Forms (.pdf format; date of last update) ALL forms (.zip, 1.8 Mb, .pdf, 9.9 Mb)

Trip (29-Feb-12)	Pelagic LL Gear (1-Jul-11) A4 version	Trawl Finfish - Gear (9-Aug-11) A4 version
Vessel (4-Sep-11) A4 version	Pelagic LL Set - Haul (1-Jul-11) A4 version	Trawl Shrimp - Gear (31-Aug-11) A4 version
Safety Checklist (29-Feb-12)	Pelagic LL Catch (6-Aug-11) A4 version	Trawl Effort - Total Catch (3-Sep-11) A4 version
Compliance Checklist (30-Jun-11) A4 version
Catch Composition (15-Sep-11) A4 version	Purse Seine Gear (6-Mar-12)	Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Sighting/Interaction (3-Aug-11) A4 version
Length (6-Dec-11) A4 version	Purse Seine Daily Log (1-Jul-11) A4 version	Marine Mammal Carcass & Capture (29-Feb-12) A4 version
Specimen (10-Mar-12) A4 version	Purse Seine Floating Object (1-Jul-11) A4 version	Sea Turtle Accidental Capture (24-Aug-11) A4 version
Tags (3-Sep-11) A4 version	Purse Seine Catch Comp (29-Feb-12)	Sea Turtle Carcass & Capture - Long version based on above plus other Observer Programs *email ksd for full instructions
Vessel - Airplane Sightings (30-Jun-11) A4 version	Species Identification - A4 versions Sharks - Rays/skates (29-Feb-12)- Flatfish (29-Feb-12)- Scorpaenidae - Misc. Fish - Crustacean (29-Feb-12)- Misc. Invert - Seabirds (2008, not A4)
Marine Debris (30-Jun-11) A4 version
Demersal Longline - Gear(8.5x11") (1-Jul-11) A4 version	Pots/Traps - Gear (6-Mar-12)
Demersal Longline - Set - haul (8.5x11") (11-Oct-11) A4 version	Pots/Traps - Set - haul (3-Sep-11) A4 version
Other forms that may be useful:
Gear check-out (22-Feb-12)	Scale calibration (27-Feb-12)

These forms were made in either MS Excel or MS publisher. If you want to make modifications to the layout for your observer program, contact kim[at]kimdietrich.com and I'll supply you with the master files.

Training Modules [Updated after training in Liberia in May 2011 - note that updates are not all complete]

Handout includes presentation (4 slides/page, Activity instructions & blank forms for activities)

TOPIC	PPT & PDF* format	Lesson Plan (MS Word)	Last update
Vessel Information	PPT (6.4 MB); PDF (1.6 MB)	LP (82 kb) Handout (pdf 1.5 Mb)	Aug 31, 2011
Trip Summary	PPT (0.6 MB); PDF (0.9 MB)	LP (47 kb) Handout (pdf 0.3 Mb)	Dec 6, 2011
Demersal Longline - Fishing & Gear description	PPT (4.6 MB); PDF (1.8 MB)	LP (81 kb) Handout (pdf 0.9 Mb)	Apr.6, 2011
Demersal Longline - Setting/hauling form, catch composition sampling	PPT (3.7 MB); PDF (8.6 MB)	LP (350 kb) Handout (pdf 1.0 Mb)	Apr.6, 2011
Pelagic Longline - Fishing & Gear description	PPT (5.6 MB); PDF (1.9 MB)	LP (77 kb) Handout (pdf 1.0 Mb)	Feb.7, 2013
Pelagic Longline - Fishing effort (Set / Haul Information form)	PPT (1.4 MB); PDF (0.4 MB)	LP (104 kb) Handout (pdf 165 kb)	Feb.7, 2013
Pelagic Longline -catch composition sampling	PPT (12.3 MB); PDF (1.3 MB)	LP (88 kb) Handout (pdf 364 kb)	Feb.7, 2013
Purse Seine - Fishing & Gear description	PPT (5.4 MB); PDF (2.1 MB)	LP (229 kb) Handout slides (pdf 1.2 Mb)Activity (0.1 Mb)	Feb.13, 2013
Purse Seine - Activity Log	PPT (2.0 MB); PDF (962 kb)	LP (76 kb) Handout slides (pdf 0.6 Mb)Activity (0.1 Mb)	Feb.13, 2013
Purse Seine - Floating Objects	PPT (1.7 MB); PDF (624 kb)	LP (56 kb)	Sep 23, 2010
Purse Seine - Set Information & catch composition sampline	PPT (1.15 MB); PDF (642 kb)	LP (92 kb) Handout slides (pdf 0.3 Mb)Activity (0.04 Mb)	March 15, 2013
Trawl - Fishing and gear description	PPT (8.2 MB); PDF (3.2 Mb)	LP (85 kb) Handout (pdf 2.9 Mb) Activity (44 kb)	Feb.18, 2013
Trawl - Effort & total catch estimation	PPT (2.5 MB); PDF (0.9 Mb)	LP (97 kb) Handout (pdf 0.5 Mb; includes homework #1) Homework 2 pdf	Jan 16, 2012
Trawl - Catch composition	PPT (1.6 MB); PDF (0.5 Mb)	LP (131 kb) Handout (pdf 0.4 Mb) Trawl Overview Homework (pdf)	Jan 19, 2012
Pots/Traps - Fishing & Gear description, Total Effort/Catch	PPT (3.8 MB); PDF (XX MB)	LP (166 kb) Handout (pdf xx Mb)	Aug 28, 2011
Pots/Traps -catch composition sampling	PPT (4.8 MB); PDF (XX MB	LP (382 kb) Handout (pdf xx Mb)	Aug 29, 2011
Health & Safety - Your responsibilities, Vessel safety hazards and Personal health & safety (Part 1)	PPT (8.0 MB); PDF (1.7Mb)	LP (81 kb) Handout (pdf 0.9 Mb)	Feb.18, 2013
Health & Safety - Life saving equipment and Types of emergencies (Part 2)	PPT (21.5 MB); PDF (11.0 Mb)	LP (162 kb) Handout (pdf 3.2 Mb)	Aug.14, 2011
Health & Safety - Survival at sea & Safety checklist (Part 3)	PPT (4.7MB); PDF (1.8 Mb)	LP (991 kb) Handout slides (pdf 1.3 Mb) Activity	Feb.18, 2013
Health & Safety - Gear Go'round & Pool (Part 4)	PPT (1.3 MB); PDF (0.7 Mb)	LP (66 kb) Handout (pdf 0.2 Mb)	Aug.14, 2011
Biological Sampling (Part 1 - lengths)	PPT (10.5 MB); PDF (1.2MB)	LP (173 kb) Handout slides (pdf 0.8 Mb) Activity (0.1 Mb)	Feb.11, 2013
Biological Sampling (Part 2 - specimen collection, tags, ID forms)	PPT (10.5 MB); PDF (1.7MB)	LP (142 kb) Handout slides (pdf 1.5 Mb)Activity (0.2 Mb)	Feb.11, 2013
Vessel Sightings	PPT (5.0MB); PDF (6.4MB)	LP (47 kb) Handout (pdf 2.2 Mb)	Oct 20, 2011
Marine Debris	PPT (2.9 MB); PDF (1.4 MB)	LP (48 kb) Handout (pdf 0.6 MB)	Aug.15, 2011
Welcome - Introduction (template)	PPT (58 kb)		Feb.8, 2013
Fishing gear overview	PPT (3.0 MB); PDF (1.7 Mb)	LP (33 kb)	Jan.21, 2013
Fisheries management - Activity	PPT (2.0 MB); PDF (0.6 Mb)	LP (64 kb)	Dec.31, 2010
Scientific Observer Program Objectives / Introductions [DRAFT - incomplete]	PPT (8.0 MB); PDF (xx MB)	LP (xx kb)	April 19, 2011
Rights, Responsibilities, Conduct	PPT (xx MB); PDF (xx MB)	LP (xx kb)
Math Review & Statistical Concepts	PPT (xx MB); PDF (xx MB)	LP (xx kb)
Observer Logbook	PPT (1.8MB); PDF (0.5MB)	LP (54 kb) Handout (pdf 0.9 Mb)	Feb.9, 2013
First days on board	PPT (1.4MB); PDF (0.4MB)	LP (43 kb) Handout (pdf 191 kb)	Feb.9, 2013
Compliance checklist & documentation procedures	PPT (0.4MB); PDF (0.1MB)		Dec 6, 2011
Random Sampling	PPT (2.1 MB); PDF (0.5MB)	LP (283 kb) Handout slides (pdf 0.2 Mb); Activity 1 and 2	Feb.10, 2013
Observer Gear & Maintenance	PPT (3.1 MB); PDF (1.3 MB)	Scale maintenance & calibration handout (.doc; 79kb)	Sep 29, 2011
What forms on what days?	PPT (1.0 MB)
Nautical terms	PPT (4.6 MB); PDF (1.7 MB)	LP (55 kb) Handout (pdf 0.8 Mb)	Jan.25, 2013
Navigation	PPT (4.6 MB); PDF (1.9 MB)	LP (75 kb) Handout Slides (pdf 1.0 Mb); Homework	Feb 4, 2013
Seabirds	PPT (12.0 MB); PDF (xx MB)	LP (xx kb)	** 2008
Pelagic Bony Fish Identification	1 - Billfish 2 - Tuna & tuna-like species 3 - Other pelagic fish 4 - pelagic fish review/quiz		Feb, 2012
Demersal Species Identification	Fish anatomy & morphology Demersal Fish I Demersal Fish II Invertebrates	Gulf of Guinea field guide

*PDFs may (or may not) include any 'hidden' slides in the PPT presentation but exclude animation.

Debriefing Guide (v1.0- .doc file;133 kb; October 2011)

Older versions