u need to ask them what type vessel you will be on. A NOAA research vessel does many things. If they have you pegged to go on a small 40’ to 50’ boat then you are indeed going to be taking lots of bottom samples and doing ‘bongo net’ sampling. But the reference to ‘fishing’ is largely incorrect on the larger research ships. And I don’t believe the small boats require A.B.s either.
I am wondering if ‘Old salt’ is thinking fisheries observer aboard fishing boats. That you aren’t qualified for (unless you haven’t told the whole story.) The observers I know are degreed biologists or some marine field within a marine background.
But the NOAA fleet is a pretty diverse one, with opportunities all around.