PROCLAMATION
Preston
P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that
effective at 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, April 1, 2003, the following restrictions will
apply to the taking of black sea bass for recreational purposes north of
Hatteras (35° 15’N) :
No person may possess black sea bass less than 12 inches total length
taken for recreational purposes.
It is unlawful to possess more that 25 black sea bass per person per
day taken for recreational purposes.
C. SEASONS
The open seasons are January
1 through August 31 and September 16 through November 30.
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; 3I .0102, 3M .0503 and 3M .0512.
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. 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 Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass
Fisheries Management Plan under the authority of N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC
3M .0512. The effect of this proclamation is increase the minimum size limit to 12 inches and establish fishing
seasons.
D. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-11-2001 dated January 12,
2001.
March 26, 2003
1:15 P.M.
FF-29-2003
/sab