MOREHEAD CITY — The state marine fisheries agency is asking fishermen to keep a close eye on the progress of Hurricane Matthew as it heads up the Atlantic and begin preparing accordingly. Gov. Pat McCrory has declared a state of emergency for 66 counties, including the coast, and is urging North Carolinians to make preparations for the storm.

Fishermen should remove fishing gear from the water well before the storm’s arrival. Crab pots and gill nets, especially, are prone to damage and displacement during storms.

Additionally, vessel owners should check their safety equipment to ensure all is in working order and plan to remove their boats from the water or take them to safe harbor as the storm approaches. Fishermen should monitor a NOAA weather radio for storm updates and channel 16 on their marine radios for the latest U.S. Coast Guard emergency broadcasts.

Information about other hurricane preparations, as well as a free mobile app, can be found on the state Division of Emergency Management’s website at www.ReadyNC.org.