Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 7:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 21, 2002, the following area will be designated as Shellfish Management Area and WILL CLOSE to the harvest of clams and oysters.

ONSLOW COUNTY

S Pipe OMA - the hatched area as shown on the attached map.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

A) This proclamation is issued under the authority of G.S. 113-182; 113-221(e); 143B-289.4 and implementing N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103 and 3K .0103.

B) It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority per 15A NCAC 3 H .0103 (b).

C) It is unlawful to use a trawl net, long haul seine, or swipe net in any shellfish/seed management area which has been designated by proclamation.

D) This action is being taken in order to protect oyster cultch in the above area.

E) The Division of Marine Fisheries will mark the areas to be closed with signs insofar as may be practicable. No unauthorized removal or relocation of any such sign shall have the effect of changing the areas closed, nor shall any such sign affect the applicability of any proclamation or portion thereof. Where there is conflict between signs and maps, maps shall prevail.

F) Hatched area on the attached map indicate the area designated as Shellfish Management Area.

August 16, 2002

3:00 P.M.

SF-4-02

/sdt/ph