Observer Trip Scheduling System Informational Meetings

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 Observer Trip Scheduling System (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 Morehead City, Hatteras, Manteo, Elizabeth City, Washington, and Wilmington. Tonight’s meeting will be held in Morehead City and we will send out reminders of the other locations over the next two weeks.

Meeting Tonight

NCDMF Central District Office

5285 Hwy 70 West

Morehead City

Presentation is 6:00-7:00pm and doors open at 5:30

More Information:

OTSS Webpage

OTSS Info Packet

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

thomasnewman@ncfish.org