Observer Trip Scheduling System Meetings Cancelled
The Observer Trip Scheduling System (OTSS) meetings scheduled this week in Hatteras, Manteo, and Elizabeth City have been cancelled due to impending inclement weather and will be rescheduled for a later date. Meetings next week in Washington and Wilmington will be held as planned.
The new system for scheduling state observers for anchored gill nets in NC will begin as soon as next month. In anticipation of the public release of the new OTSS the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) will be holding 6 one-hour informational question and answer sessions.
Under the new system, people who fish anchored gill nets in the sounds and rivers will have to call-in or fill out online their intentions to fish one week ahead of time. These meetings will go through sample call-ins and show how to fill out your information online.
Important to note if you plan to fish drift, run-around, strike, or drop gill nets you will not be required to call in to the OTSS system. This only applies to anchored gill nets in the sounds and rivers.
Meetings will be held in Hatteras, Manteo, Elizabeth City, Washington, and Wilmington. This week’s meetings will have to be rescheduled and we will send out reminders about the Washington and Wilmington meetings next week.
More Information:
If you cannot attend one of these meetings or have any questions, please contact the Observer Program by emailing staff at Observer.Program@deq.nc.gov or by calling the Observer Coordinator, Christina Bland, at 252-515-5625.
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison
