July 1, 2020 — NOAA Fisheries announced the redeployment of observers will be delayed through July 31, 2020 less than 24 hours before at-sea monitors were set to be aboard vessels in the Greater Atlantic Region.
Over the past four weeks, fishery councils, stakeholders and politicians have spoken out against the return of fishery observers, citing concerns regarding the health and safety of captains, crews and observers during the COVID-19 pandemic.