Thursday, April 24, 2025

Division of Marine Fisheries seeks input on automated system for anchored gill net fishery

Share post:

The Division of Marine Fisheries is hosting a series of public outreach meetings to provide updates and gather input on the development and implementation of an automated system that will be used to schedule observer trips for the estuarine-anchored gill-net fishery in North Carolina. The Division is working with the N.C. Department of Information Technology to develop the Observer Trip Scheduling System (OTSS), which will begin testing this fall.

The Division holds two Endangered Species Act Section 10 Incidental Take Permits (ITPs) for the incidental take of five species of sea turtles and Atlantic Sturgeon associated with lawful use of estuarine anchored gill nets. Per the ITPs’ Conservation Plans, the Division must obtain 7% to 10% observer coverage of anchored large-mesh gill-net trips and 1% to 2% observer coverage of anchored small-mesh gill-net trips.

Using the OTSS, fishermen will call into an automated voice response system to report their planned fishing trips. Fishermen from this list will be randomly selected to take an observer, then the automated system will contact all the fishermen who called in to alert them to their selection status. This will allow the Division to more efficiently schedule observer trips to administer the Observer Program and ensure greater compliance with the requirements of the ITPs and Estuarine Gill Net Permits.

Public outreach meetings are scheduled to provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the OTSS, ask questions, and provide input and comments on the proposed system.

The meetings are scheduled as below. All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end promptly at 8:00 p.m.

May 1 May 2 May 3
NCDMF Pamlico District Office
943 Washington Square Mall, Hwy 17, Washington
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
NCDMF Central District Office
5285 Hwy 70 West, Morehead City
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
NCDMF Southern District Office
127 Cardinal Drive Ext., Wilmington
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
May 8 May 9
NC Cooperative Extension
Currituck County Center120 Community Way, Barco
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Hatteras Community Building
57689 NC Hwy 12, Hatteras
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

 

Trending

Subscribe

Help Support Local News! Subscribe for Free, Upgrade to Premium, or Make a Contribution.

Related articles

For the first time, Rodanthe Pier will host the Annual Fishing Jamboree for disabled veterans

For the first time in the event's history, the Rodanthe Fishing Pier will host the annual Disabled Veteran/Wounded...

Division of Marine Fisheries urges fishermen to complete license/permit renewals early

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will begin renewing commercial fishing, seafood dealer...

Recreational and commercial Spotted Seatrout cold stun harvest closure extended from June 15 to June 30

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has extended the Spotted Seatrout cold stun harvest...

Satellite tracking study aims to unlock more red drum secrets

From CoastalReview.org A pilot study tracking a popular saltwater fish was not expected to yield as much information as...