The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is announcing the agency will continue to cover groundfish observer and at-sea monitoring costs.

A unfunded federal mandate being implemented would not have required NOAA to pick up the tab, but the agency is keeping on course with paying for the cost for the observers.

Jim Kendall of New Bedford Seafood Consulting tells WBSM News at $400 a day, an on-board observer can rack up quite a bill.

Without the coverage from the agency, fishermen would be required to pay for those costs themselves. NOAA's target is to have 26% of fishing trips monitored.

In a written statement, Senator Elizabeth Warren says she's pleased by NOAA's decision, and will keep fighting on behalf of fishermen.

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