Association for Professional Observers

The Association for Professional Observers (APO) is an association that monitors fisheries observers.^[1] It is the first association of fisheries observers.^{[citation needed]}

Aim

The Association for Professional Observers is a non-governmental organization^[1] aiming to support and develop programs of observers that monitor fishing practices on fishing boats, with the aim of supporting marine conservation.^[2]

Monitoring of deaths of observers

In January 2022, the APO called for publication of the results of the post mortem into the September 2021 death of observer Arnold Latu on a fishing boat in the waters of Tonga. The APO stated that 12 deaths of fishing boat observers had occurred since 2009 around the world.^[1]