FF-54-2001

PROCLAMATION

RE: BLACK SEA BASS

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, November 6, 2001, the following restrictions will apply to the black sea bass fishery in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15’ N. Latitude):

No person or fishing operation may take, possess, land, sell or offer for sale black sea bass taken with commercial fishing equipment or for commercial purposes from the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras. This closure remains in effect until January 1, 2002.

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 .0506.

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) The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has projected that the 575,231 pound commercial quota for black sea bass for the Quarter 4 Harvest Period will be harvested by November 6, 2001. Federally permitted vessels and dealers were notified by NMFS on October 30, 2001 of the closure of the Quarter 4 Harvest Period for black sea bass in federal waters effective November 6, 2001.

D. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council-Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan requires that the black sea bass commercial season be closed in state waters when the quota is harvested.

E) This proclamation expires at midnight, December 31, 2001.

October 31, 2001

1:00 P.M.

FF-54-2001

/sab