Individuals fishing in North Carolina’s coastal waters may become tough as the authority has announced to put observers on the vessels if requested. Observers monitor various types of fishing gear and activities collecting information on catch, discards, bycatch and protected species interactions. Much of the observer effort at this time is focused on the inshore gill net fishery.
As per the information state observers work with the Division of Marine Fisheries and are either biological technicians or Marine Patrol officers. State observers monitor both commercial and recreational fisheries. Federal observers with the National Marine Fisheries Service are also working in North Carolina coastal waters. Vessels selected to be monitored by federal observers must successfully complete the U.S.
According to Coast Guard Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination vessels that do not have a current safety decal are deemed unsafe for purposes of carrying a federal observer and are prohibited from fishing. Federal enforcement action may result when a vessel required to take a federal observer does not meet the safety requirements and embarks on a fishing trip without that observer.
