FF-55-2002

PROCLAMATION

RE: SCUP

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Monday, December 2, 2002, the following restrictions will apply to the commercial scup fishery in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15' N. Latitude):

I. HARVEST LIMITS

No person may possess, sell or offer for sale scup when taken with commercial fishing equipment or for commercial purposes through December 31, 2002 (the remainder of the Winter II Harvest Period).

II. 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 .0514.

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 proclamation closes the commercial scup season through December 31, 2002 (Winter II Harvest Period). The intent of this proclamation is to maintain North Carolina’s compliance with the requirements of the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council-Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Scup Fisheries Management Plan. The Winter II Harvest Period is projected to be harvested as of December 2, 2002.

D. This proclamation supersedes FF-20-2002, dated March 6, 2002.

November 27, 2002

9:00 A.M.

FF-55-2002

/sab