Observer compensation and benefits increase of observer pay rates The success of the IATTC observer program relies upon the Secretariat’s ability to maintain a pool of observers with an appropriate level of education and training, so that they can perform their duties successfully and collect high-quality data. A fundamental requirement for AIDCP observers is a university degree in biology. In order to attract and maintain an adequate number of qualified observers, the program must offer competitive salaries, taking into account the time away from home and the working conditions 9 Based upon activity through 31 May 2018. that are part of the job. Observer daily pay rates were last increased in 2014 from a range of US$ 39-45 to US$ 48-55 in order to address low retention rates. Even with that raise, experienced IATTC observers were still earning less than their counterparts in the WCPFC observer program, even though they are required to have a higher level of education. This situation was recognized in 2016 by the 33rd Meeting of the Parties, which noted “the urgent need to offer fair, competitive salaries to observers in order to have an observer pool large enough to meet the demand, retain experienced observers, and to reduce incentives for possible corruption”. The Secretariat believes this situation is again leading to a lack of interest among qualified biologists and high rates of attrition of trained observers. For example, in 2017, facing a shortage of observers in Panama, the Secretariat held a training course, with a goal of training at least nine new observers. Despite advertisements targeting recent college graduates and other historically responsive demographic groups, only seven people registered for the course, and several of those either failed to finish the course or refused additional placements after their first trip. A similar trend has been observed in Ecuador. Observer shortages not only result in delayed departures for vessels, but also increase program costs, because observers need to travel from other areas to cover trips from ports where shortages occur, and additional training courses have to be held for new observers. The Secretariat therefore considers it necessary to again increase IATTC observer pay in order to remain competitive with other international observer programs in the region and other opportunities available for qualified individuals.
