MPSC is holding a training course which provides Protected Species Observer (also known as Marine Mammal Observer) certification in Clearwater, FL on February 29 - March 1, 2020. This class will include a vessel trip and admission to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where the course will be taking place. The vessel trip will provide opportunity to practice the protected species monitoring identification techniques discussed in class; students will also be able to practice manual settings for wildlife photography using digital SLR cameras, and will learn to estimate distance using binoculars with reticles (cameras and binoculars provided for use). This training is approved by the federal agencies Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to provide Protected Species Observer certification for seismic surveys in the Gulf of Mexico, and is a long-standing industry standard which is often accepted in various other regions or industries (such as renewable energy, dredging, construction, blasting, and pile driving) where monitoring and mitigation for protected species is needed. The course examines the regulations for reducing impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles, how to visually locate and identify the animals, and objective documentation of animal behavior for reporting to regulatory agencies. Discounts are available for students/recent graduates, government, and members of non-profit organizations. Lunch is provided each day, along with various identification guides and regulatory documents (yours to keep), advice on applying to PSO positions, admission to the aquarium, the vessel trip, and the professional certification. Additional information may be found on the MPSC website at http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/, by contacting me at ABostwick@PSOCertifications.com, or by phone at 832-523-2402. Angela Bostwick Founder / Marine Protected Species Consulting ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com https://Facebook.com/ProtectedSpeciesObservers/