FF-57-2002
RE: Mullet - Stop
Nets - Atlantic Ocean
Preston
P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that
effective at 12:01 A.M. Sunday, December
1, 2002, net restrictions as indicated below will apply to the use of stop
nets in the mullet beach seine fishery:
SEASON:
Stop net(s) may be used only from
December 1, 2002, through 6:00 P.M. on December 20, 2002.
NET RESTRICTIONS:
A. A stop net is defined
as a stationary net (not intended to gill fish) whose purpose is to impede the
progress of schooling fish so that they can be harvested with a seine. The
inshore 100 yard portion must be constructed of webbing a minimum of 8 inches
(stretched mesh) and the offshore 50 yard portion must be constructed of
webbing a minimum of 8 inches. The
remaining section of the net shall be constructed of webbing a minimum of 6
inches.
B. A maximum of four stop nets may be used between Beaufort Inlet and
Bogue Inlet at any one time.
C. A combined fishing operation may not use more than two stop nets
at any one time.
D. A stop net may not exceed 400 yards in length.
E. A stop net may not be used within 880 yards of an existing stop
net.
AREAS:
Stop
nets may be used only in the
Atlantic Ocean on Bogue Banks, Carteret County, between Beaufort Inlet and
Bogue Inlet, in the following areas:
A. From a point beginning at the western boundary of Fort Macon State
Park at 34°
41.6666' N - 76°
42.0500’ W to a point 275 yards west of the Fort Macon State Park Boundary at
34°
41.7000’ N - 76°
42.2500’ W.
B. From a point beginning at the western boundary of Raleigh Street
in Atlantic Beach at 34°
41.8666’ N - 76°
44.5333’ W to a point at 34° 41.8166’ N - 76° 46.6333' W.
C. From a point at 34° 41.8000' N - 76° 47.1500’ W to a point at 34° 41.6333' N -
76°
49.2166’ W.
D. From a point at 34° 41.5333’ N - 76° 50.2333’ W to a point at 34° 40.5666' N -
76°
57.2166' W.
E. From a point at 34° 40.5000' N - 76° 57.6000' W to a point at 34° 39.7500'N -
77°
01.5000' W.
F. From a point at 34° 39.5000' N - 77° 02.5833’ W to Bogue Inlet.
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 .0502.
B. It is unlawful to violate provisions of any proclamation issued by
the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority per 15A NCAC 3H .0103.
C. The intent of this proclamation is to extend the current 2002 beach seine mullet fishery until 6:00 P.M. on
December 20, 2002. Variable
conditions are the seasonal distribution of striped mullet along Bogue Banks
for their fall migration south and offshore and to avert user conflicts.
E. Fishermen are reminded that a National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal Authorization Registration is required in this fishery and can be obtained by contacting NMFS at (301) 713-2322.
November 27, 2002
10:00 A.M.
FF-57-2002
/sab