FF-42-2001

PROCLAMATION

RE: BLUEFISH

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Sunday, July 1, 2001, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of bluefish for recreational purposes:

No person may possess more than 15 bluefish taken in one day.

GENERAL INFORMATION

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 and 3M .0511.

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 taken in accordance with Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan and adjusts the recreational possession limit as authorized by the 2001 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued the 2001 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery on May 9, 2001.

D) The recreational management measures implemented by NMFS for 2001 complement or are identical to those proposed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for the coastal states.

E) This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-11-96 dated September 19, 1996.

June 19, 2001

10:00 A.M.

FF-42-2001

/sab