Plunk

I should have included this about the PMC. It kind of covers your question about where it authority reaches and covers.

" ARTICLE I.


The purposes of this compact are and shall be to promote the better utilization of fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, which are of mutual concern, and to develop a joint program of protection and prevention of physical waste of such fisheries in all of those areas of the Pacific Ocean and adjacent waters over which the compacting states jointly or separately now have or may hereafter acquire jurisdiction.

The key words here are " adjacent waters"

Grandpa
It was my understanding that the Commercial boys on the Columbia, could only have 3 sturgeon aboad there boats as by-catch. Once they had 3 sturgeons on board, they were done fishing for the day. It didn't matter if they wanted to fish for salmon or not, once they keep 3 sturgeon, they had to pull their nets. I do not know if this is fact or not, but it's what I have heard. If this is true, then that's probably one more reason to keep off the observers!

My "legal" research assistant "Jim", has found this in the Maguson Stevens Fishery Act, about over half way down the page at http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/mar04/mar1204c.htm

This is stated:

"8) require that one or more observers be carried on board a vessel of the United States engaged in fishing for species that are subject to the plan, for the purpose of collecting data necessary for the conservation and management of the fishery; except that such a vessel shall not be required to carry an observer on board if the facilities of the vessel for the quartering of an observer, or for carrying out observer functions, are so inadequate or unsafe that the health or safety of the observer or the safe operation of the vessel would be jeopardized;"

Seems to me, that there are plenty of laws that can be enforced, but someone has to get off there butts first to do it.


Cowlitzfisherman