Make Sure Your Charter Fishing Trip is Legal and Sustainable
Offshore charter fishing is a great way to experience the outdoors. As with any business, there are those who follow the rules and a few who do not. Properly licensed charter captains incur expenses related to permits, safety gear, and other operational costs. This ensures they comply with regulations and that their customers are given a legal, safe, and sustainable experience. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) continues to make investigating illegal charters a high priority in the Southeast through increased patrols and targeted enforcement operations.
“Tips routinely come into our enforcement hotline reporting illegal charter fishing operations,” said Manny Antonaras, Assistant Director of OLE, Southeast Division. “Illegal charter operations are very concerning to us because they affect legally permitted fishing operations and fair market prices. They can also put customers’ safety at risk, or encourage them to lie about their relationship with the captain.”
OLE uses a multi-faceted approach to curb illegal fishing charter in Myrtle Beach. This includes public outreach at Fishery Management Council meetings, engagement with stakeholders, and increased patrol presence on the water. With the help of state enforcement partners and the U.S. Coast Guard, enforcement patrols continue throughout the region.
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