Parymon Corp to Support NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center Observer Program
Parymon Corp is proud to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), through the Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division’s North Pacific Observer Program.
The North Pacific Observer Program plays a vital role in the conservation and management of fisheries in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. The program oversees more than 250 observers annually who collect fisheries data aboard commercial fishing vessels and at shoreside processing plants, providing information used for in-season management, stock assessments, and ecosystem studies.
Through this support, Parymon personnel will work with the Observer Program's Gear Team in Seattle to ensure certified observers have the sampling and safety equipment necessary to perform their duties. The Gear Team prepares, maintains, tracks, and distributes approximately 500 individual gear sets each year, supporting observer deployments throughout Alaska.
Under this support, Parymon will provide services across several key areas:
Observer Gear Maintenance & Preparation
Parymon personnel will maintain new and used scientific sampling and safety equipment, ensuring gear is clean, functional, properly documented, and ready for deployment. Activities include equipment cleaning, scale maintenance and testing, lubrication, corrosion removal, repairs, organization, and inspection of marine safety equipment.
Gear Set Assembly & Deployment Support
Parymon will prepare up to 150 complete sampling and safety gear sets per month in accordance with established packing protocols. Personnel will prepare immersion suits and personal flotation devices, test hanging scales using certified weights, organize gear components, and ensure complete sets are ready for observer deployment.
Observer Check-In & Check-Out
Parymon personnel will work directly with certified observers and their employers during gear check-out and check-in activities. This includes verifying that observers receive the equipment required for their deployments, inspecting returned equipment, identifying missing or damaged items, and documenting gear status.
Inventory Management & Logistics
Using NOAA's Observer Gear Inventory System (OGIS), Parymon will document the assignment, return, and loss of gear and individual equipment items. Personnel will also prepare shipments for NOAA Observer Program field offices in Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, and Anchorage and maintain organized inventories to support equipment availability and purchasing decisions.
Fisheries Monitoring Program Support
The work supports a broader fisheries science and monitoring mission by helping ensure observers have reliable sampling and safety equipment available for deployments. Parymon personnel will contribute to a continuously operating gear program that supports fisheries data collection throughout the year.
Parymon is honored to support NOAA Fisheries and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center in providing the equipment, logistics, and operational support necessary for the North Pacific Observer Program. By helping maintain deployment-ready gear and reliable inventory systems, our team contributes to the continued collection of high-quality fisheries information supporting science-based fisheries management and marine resource conservation.