Source: NCDENR, 4/21/22 The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will resume onboard
observations of estuarine gill net fisheries beginning May 1. Onboard
observations will be the primary method with limited use of alternative
platform observations primarily conducted by Marine Patrol officers.
Division staff have been conducting alternate platform observations of
estuarine gill net fisheries using division-owned boats since June 2020 in
response to potential risks associated with COVID-19. The decision to resume onboard
observations as the primary observation method is based on improved COVID-19
indicators. Under Executive Order 224 issued by Governor Roy Cooper for
all cabinet agency employees, division staff are either fully
vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide proof of weekly negative COVID-19 test
results Fishermen are reminded that an Estuarine Gill Net Permit (EGNP) is
required to use anchored gill nets (large-mesh or small-mesh) in estuarine
waters (commercially or recreationally), and one of the conditions of the EGNP
is to allow division staff to observe gill net operations. Another condition of
the EGNP is that fishermen must not avoid or mislead observers, which includes
but is not limited to failing to return phone calls, failing to notify the
division of a phone number change within 14 calendar days of such change, and
providing incorrect information on fishing activity. Refusing to abide by
permit conditions will result in suspension or revocation of the permit. The EGNP is a critical step in meeting the requirements of the division’s sea turtle and Atlantic sturgeon Incidental Take Permits issued by NOAA Fisheries under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act. Fishermen convicted of using anchored gill nets in internal
coastal waters without holding an EGNP could be subject to a Class A1 misdemeanor. The EGNP is available for free from the Division of Marine
Fisheries. Fishermen can download an application here.
Completed applications may be emailed to License@ncdenr.gov or
mailed to the Division of Marine Fishermen, License Office, P.O. Box 769,
Morehead City 28557. Fishermen also may submit completed applications in drop boxes
provided at the following division offices:
DMF Headquarters
3441 Arendell St.
Morehead City
Phone: 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632
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Manteo Field Office
1021 Driftwood Dr.
Manteo
Phone 252-473-5734 or 800-405-7774
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Pamlico District Office
943 Washington Square Mall, Highway 17
Washington
Phone: 252-946-6481 or
800-338-7804
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Southern District Office
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington
Phone: 910-796-7215 or 800-248-4536
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For more information about the Observer Program and observer
coverage, contact the Protected Resources Program supervisor Barbie Byrd
(phone: 252-808-8088; email: Barbie.Byrd@ncdenr.gov) or the Coastal Programs Manager, Casey Knight (phone: 252-808-8094; email: Casey.Knight@ncdenr.gov).
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