April 23, 2020 — Shelter-in-place requirements in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic areas are making it difficult to deploy observers, the National Marine Fisheries Service said today in a notice to industry. Therefore, observer requirements will be waived through May 4.
Providing seafood to the country remains an essential function even in these extraordinary times. Adequately monitoring U.S. fisheries remains an essential part of that process. However, in recognition of numerous travel or social distancing restrictions or guidance, NMFS continues to temporarily waive the requirement for federally-permitted vessels participating in the following federal fisheries to carry a fishery observer, the notice said:
- South Atlantic Penaeid Shrimp
- South Atlantic Rock Shrimp
- South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper
- Southeast Gillnet