Section 5 AAC 39.646 - Shellfish onboard observer trainee program qualifications and requirements(a) To qualify as a crab onboard observer trainee, an applicant must have one of the following: (1) a Bachelor degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in the sciences of biology, any branch of biology, or limnology that includes a minimum of 30 semester hours in applicable biological sciences with use of dichotomous keys in at least one course, and the successful completion of at least one course each in mathematics and statistics with a minimum of five semester hours total for both; or(2) a valid National Marine Fisheries Service observer certification; or(3) other fisheries related education or work experience approved by the department.(b) A crab or scallop onboard observer trainee must (1) have the ability to use a radio for communications; and(2) be physically able to carry out the duties of an observer and not be incapacitated by chronic or debilitating seasickness.(c) Before an applicant may take the certification examination, the applicant must attend a training course approved by the department that provides instruction in the following subject areas: (1) identification of the species and sex of all shellfish species commercially fished in waters under the jurisdiction of the state;(2) how to accurately read a vernier caliper and properly measure shellfish species, and to use a fixed measuring gauge to determine legal size shellfish;(3) organizational structure of the shellfish regulations in this title and ability to reference appropriate regulations as required;(4) use of a radio for communications;(5) identification of Pacific cod, halibut, sablefish, and other fish species commonly caught as bycatch;(6) department sampling procedures;(7) performance of observer duties similar to those performed while on board a vessel.(d) In addition to the requirements in (a) of this section, to qualify as a scallop onboard observer trainee, an applicant must possess a valid department crab observer trainee permit or crab observer certification in good standing, except that, if an applicant with a valid department crab observer trainee permit or crab observer certification in good standing is unavailable, a valid National Marine Fisheries Service North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program certification may be substituted at the discretion of the department. Eff. 12/26/97, Register 144; am 7/21/99, Register 151; am 6/21/2020, Register 234, July 2020; am 9/25/2022, Register 243, October 2022