PROCLAMATION
RE: RED DRUM-COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATONS
Preston P.
Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that
effective at 12:01 A.M., Thursday,
April 5, 2001, the following
restrictions will apply to the taking of red drum (channel bass) in a
commercial fishing operation:
The portion of
N.C. Fisheries Rules for Coastal Waters 15A NCAC 3M .0501 (e), which reads “It
is unlawful to possess more than 100 pounds of red drum per day in a commercial
fishing operation, regardless of the number of individuals or vessels involved”
is suspended.
A. It is unlawful to possess more than five (5) red drum per day taken in a
commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of individuals or
vessels involved.
B. Subject to II. A. No person may possess red drum incidental to any commercial fishing operation unless the weight of the combined catch of all other finfish (excluding menhaden) exceeds the weight of the red drum retained.
A) This proclamation is issued under the
authority of G.S. 113-182; 113-221(e); 143B-289.52; and N.C. Marine Fisheries
Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3I .0102, and
3M .0501.
B) It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority per 15A NCAC 3H .0103.
C) This action is being taken to allow for the transition into a new commercial harvest season (September 1 – August 31) as proposed in the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan. It is unlawful to possess red drum less than 18 inches total length or greater than 27 inches total length.
D) This proclamation supersedes FF-32-2001,
dated March 29, 2001 and FF-33-2001, dated March 30, 2001.
April 2, 2001
10:00 A.M.
FF-33-2001 (REVISED)
/sab