M-18-2010

PROCLAMATION

RE: FEMALE BLUE CRABS – ALL COASTAL WATERS

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Saturday, September 18, 2010, the following provisions shall apply to the taking of female blue crabs in coastal waters:

I. MAXIMUM SIZE LIMIT AND CULLING TOLERANCE

A. It is unlawful to possess mature female blue crabs greater than 6 ¾ inches in length from tip of spike to tip of spike from September 18 through April 30, 2011. A culling tolerance of not more than five percent by number in any container shall be allowed.

B. It is unlawful to possess female peeler crabs greater than 5 ¼ inches in length from tip of spike to tip of spike from September 18 through April 30, 2011.

II. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103 and 03L .0201.

B. It is unlawful to violate provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. The intent of this proclamation is to implement the spawning stock protection provisions approved by the Marine Fisheries Commission. The trigger in Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03L .0201(c) has been met and these restrictions are invoked to protect the spawning stock.

D. These provisions apply to commercial and recreational female crab harvest.

September 15, 2010
3:00 P.M.
M-18-2010