FF-48-2002                  

 

PROCLAMATION

 

RE:  SPINY DOGFISH SHARK

 

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Friday, November 1, 2002, the following restrictions will apply to the commercial spiny dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias) fishery:

 

TRIP LIMIT

 

No person or fishing operation may land or possess aboard a vessel more than 300 pounds of spiny dogfish per fishing trip taken with commercial fishing equipment or for commercial purposes from the Atlantic Ocean, regardless of the number of days that the vessel is underway.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

A)    This proclamation is issued under the authority of G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221(e); 143B-289.52; and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103 and 3M .0505.

 

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 because the spiny dogfish commercial quota for harvest period II for November through April, 2003 will begin November 1, 2002.  This quota is established by the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) for federal waters.

 

D)    This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-34-2002, dated June 28, 2002, which closed the commercial season for spiny dogfish.  Proclamation FF-30-2002, dated May 16, 2002, remains in effect.  This proclamation establishes commercial and recreational restrictions for all sharks in state waters and allows the removal of the head and tail of Atlantic sharpnose and smooth and spiny dogfish, but requires that the fins remain intact with the carcass to the point of landing. 

 

October 29, 2002

11:00 A.M.

FF-48-2002

/sab