Charter captains allowed to operate from closed ramps

Charter captains are counted as commercial fishermen

The COVID-19 virus pandemic has brought many changes to the world. And that includes outdoor activities like fishing. From the beginning of the pandemic-related closures, commercial fishing has been considered an essential business, and rightfully so. But questions remained as to whether charter operations fell under the same umbrella.

The issue has been clarified, somewhat. The general consensus is that charter operations can continue to operate. To be sure, fishing has not been shut down. Even with many boat ramps, beaches, piers, and other access points closed down, fishing is still considered a viable form of outdoor recreation, as well as a food supply. For recreational anglers without their own gear, they rely on charter captains to help meet their recreational goals, and to stock their freezers.

And for many charter captains and mates, this is their only source of income. So as access to fishing waters has continued to dwindle, charter captains began asking questions to clarify their situation.

Do fishing guides need approval form?

In response, the North Carolina Fisheries Association (NCFA), a trade group that represents commercial fishing and fishermen, began assisting commercial fishermen apply for and receive a form issued by the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture. This form classified them as essential businesses. The purpose was to give fishermen the proper credentials for being out at all times of day and night. And it also allowed for using closed launching ramps. Placing the forms on tow vehicle dashboards would let officials know those using the ramps were essential businesses.

A call and email to the NCFA were not returned, so this information is from their update of April 8, 2020.

On April 8, the NCFA updated their Facebook page and sent an email stating that with some municipalities and counties closing launching ramps, they had been asked to verify if charter operations were considered commercial fishing. The update stated that after checking with multiple state agencies, they were told that charter operations had not been approved or dismissed as essential workers.

The update also stated NCFA considered charter operations as essential for the coastal economy. It invited charter operators to contact them for a work authorization letter for essential workers. 

At this time, the only closed Wildlife Resources Commission launching ramps were at Surf City, which couldn’t be reached because it’s inside a closed municipal park, and launches in New Hanover. These include ramps in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Fort Fisher, and Sutton Lake. The resolution closing these ramps by New Hanover County Commissioners specifically allowed commercial fishermen use of the closed ramps.

Party boaters, not anglers, were reason for ramp closures

Rob Bizzell, Chair of the Marine Fisheries Commission, said he had no knowledge of who had authorized the NCFA to issue essential worker letters. He called the Division of Marine Fisheries, but with many of their staff working from their homes, Bizzell had yet to receive a reply.

“As I understand it, this is a slightly modified version of a North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture form designating farm workers as essential,” Bizzell said. “I believe the NCFA began this to assist commercial fishermen continue working and have credentials if they were checked.”

Bizzell also said charter operations are licensed by DMF, and if they are classified as essential businesses, they have their For Hire license number and sicker, issued by DMF as verification of being a for-hire vessel.

Gordon Myers, executive director of the NCWRC who oversees the Wildlife Ramps, echoed Bizzell’s comment that the only coastal ramps currently closed are the one at Surf City and the New Hanover County ramps that have already granted an exemption for commercial fishermen.

“Several other coastal towns and counties have contacted us regarding ramps in their jurisdictions. But none have been closed,” Myers said. “New Hanover County gave us compelling reasons to agree to allow closing their ramps. It wasn’t fishermen, but boaters and partiers that gathered in large numbers on coastal islands in violation of social distancing and group size mandates. The New Hanover County ordinance is set to expire April 13. We don’t want to close any ramps and are trying very hard not to have to.”

What do the guides say?

According to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, they are recognizing charter operators as commercial fishermen if they were recognized as essential by the N.C. Dept. of Revenue. This link provides information about qualifying as an essential business.

If your business is not currently listed as essential, you may submit a request to be considered as such. Per the Executive Order, a business that has made a request to be considered essential may continue to operate until that request is acted upon.

Chris Coudriet, New Hanover County Manager, said the New Hanover County Ordinance exempts commercial fishermen and commercial fishing from the ramp closure. He also said New Hanover County recognizes charter fishermen as commercial fishermen. And according to Coudriet, no license or placard is required to identify fishermen as commercial.

Capt. Stu Caulder of Gold Line Fishing said he launched from one of the New Hanover County WRC ramps last week. He was greeted by a Marine Patrol officer at the ramp. This officer knows Caulder is a fishing guide, and did not question him using the ramp.

North Carolina charter operations my remain open as the state battles the COVID-19 pandemic. And while it appears wise to get the essential business form, it apparently is not a requirement, at least not for using the few closed WRC ramps. Municipal and county launching facilities are governed under local ordinances. So it would be wise to check with the appropriate area or business before using a marina, other private, city, or county ramp that is closed.