This manual has been produced for use in a four-week training program developed by University of Rhode Island fisheries educators for the training of United States citizens in the duties and responsibilities of observers placed on foreign fishing vessels operating in the Fisheries Conservation Zone in the Atlantic Region. The program combines theoretical and experiential education. Elements in the curriculum include historical considerations of fisheries regulation schemes; foreign language training; aspects of current management plans; seamanship terminology; fishing methods, gear and the biological considerations of species identification, sampling techniques, and biodata recording. (Author)