NCDMF Seeks Input From For-Hire Fishermen

[Capt. Lyndon]

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is seeking input from the for-hire fishing industry about whether to restructure the current permit and license requirements, and if so, how to do so.



The division will hold three meetings to accept public comment on this issue at the following times and locations:

6 p.m., March 21

N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Wilmington Regional Office

127 Cardinal Drive

Wilmington



6 p.m. March 23

N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office

5285 Highway 70 West

Morehead City



6 p.m., March 29

Dare County Administration Building

954 Marshall C. Collins Drive

Manteo



The state currently requires charter boat, head boat and guide boat operators to either hold a blanket Coastal Recreational Fishing License or a for-hire vessel permit to charge to take people fishing. The blanket Coastal Recreational Fishing License is an optional license that for-hire vessels can purchase to cover the fishing license requirement for all those fishing on the boat. The for-hire vessel permit is free, but does not cover the fishing license requirement for all those on the boat.



To obtain either the license or permit, a for-hire boat operator must hold a U.S. Coast Guard license, show proof of vessel registration, and show photo identification. License or permit holders are required to participate in statistical surveys, if asked. The fees and qualifications are the same for both residents and non-residents.



The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission has asked the division to establish whether there is public support for changing the requirements and if so, to write a proposal. Any major changes would require approval from the N.C. General Assembly.



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Issues that have been discussed at past commission meetings include:



· Should the state eliminate the free for-hire permit and require either the blanket Coastal Recreational Fishing License or create a new guide permit?

· Should the state require mandatory liability insurance or other certifications to obtain a for-hire license or permit?

· Should the state require captains to keep and submit logbooks?

· Should the state require for-hire captains to take first aid and CPR training, drug tests or physicals?

· Should the state require for-hire vessel inspections?

· If the state should create a guide license, what should it cost for residents and non-residents?



Written comments may be sent to Don Hesselman, License and Statistics Section chief, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 796, Morehead City, N.C. 28557 or to Don.Hesselman@ncdenr.gov.



For more information, contact Hesselman at (252) 808-8099.



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Cheryl Gilgo

Public Affairs Assistant

252-808-8137

I'll be at the Wilmington meeting. I hope to see some of you there.

Capt. Lyndon Carter
Holden Beach Sportfishing Charters

[gottaflylee]

I'll be there, I'm on the stake holder committee for this.

Mandatory charter liability insurance is a big one...an insurance that is for charter, not private boat liability as a lot of boats has which will not cover other people that are charter...

[Fishfinder]

On that same note Lee, if I book a guide boat thru my booking service that doesn't have proper insurance and someone gets hurt, with a good lawyer, they could come after me as well for booking the trip.

Capt. Joe

[gottaflylee]

On that same note Lee, if I book a guide boat thru my booking service that doesn't have proper insurance and someone gets hurt, with a good lawyer, they could come after me as well for booking the trip.

Capt. Joe

That is correct, we all need to get on the right page...

[Capt. Lyndon]

I talked with Adam Myer of Charter Lakes a little bit ago. I'm going to foward the info to him. He's planning on being at the Wilmington meeting.

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

Gotta love more gov't control.

[CaptGorges]

Exactly what I said Trophy. I don't need the gov't telling me to have or not have insurance. If I am dumb enough to not educate myself on the pitfalls on no insurance it is my fault. I don't disagree with insurance being a necessity in our business, but I don't like being required to do anything. Give an inch, take a mile...They already keep me from booking bottom fishing trips in the winter.

[gottaflylee]

Exactly what I said Trophy. I don't need the gov't telling me to have or not have insurance. If I am dumb enough to not educate myself on the pitfalls on no insurance it is my fault. I don't disagree with insurance being a necessity in our business, but I don't like being required to do anything. Give an inch, take a mile...They already keep me from booking bottom fishing trips in the winter.

Whats the big deal then, if you have it, all you do is show it. The main ones ti will effect are the part time weekend Charter Capts that try to run with a minim of everything that they should have. I really think it will be a good thing over all and as far as the people that get on your boat, you butt will be covered if something happens...

This has nothing to do with fisheries, this has to do with making a better NC charter fleet over all.

[LuckyLady]

Gotta love more gov't control.

DITTO

[Cane]

Careful what you wish for, more gov't control in my opinion is not a good thing, I think there track record in fisheries management speaks for itself......
My question is? If charter insurance became mandatory will Insurance companies raise policy prices and profit more from this?
No... Not the multi billion dollar insurance industry....
Should you have Insurance to cover your party? Yes
Should we make it a law? NO, who's to gain there but the Insurance Industry
Its Politics 101....