July 13, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
Effective today, July 13, a vessel enrolled in an electronic monitoring program may be assigned observer or monitor coverage consistent with its respective program’s requirements. This lifts a temporary exemption that has been in place since August 2020.
In June, NOAA Fisheries and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center announced that vessels were no longer eligible for release from observer or monitor coverage if a fully vaccinated observer or a quarantined/shelter in place observer is available. This exemption was lifted for most vessels July 1, and today’s announcement lifts it for EM vessels.