FF-53-2003
PROCLAMATION
Preston
P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that
effective at 6:00 A.M., Thursday, January 1, 2004, the
following restrictions will apply to the taking of American shad in the
Atlantic Ocean:
The
harvest of American shad by commercial fishing operations will open.
There
are two geographic zones in the Atlantic Ocean and each zone has a separate
harvest allocation. One zone is from Ocracoke Inlet north to the North Carolina
–Virginia state line. The other zone is
from Ocracoke Inlet south to the North Carolina-South Carolina state line.
GENERAL INFORMATION
A. This proclamation is issued under the
authority of G.S. 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. The variable condition necessitating this
action is compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Management Plan for Shad and River Herring.
The North Carolina commercial quota for American shad is 49,346 pounds. This is equally split between the northern
and southern regions of the state, with each region receiving 24,673 pounds. When the available
poundage in each region has been harvested, the region will be closed by
proclamation.
D. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3O .0503
requires a permit for fish dealers
who possess, buy, sell, or offer for sale American shad taken from the Atlantic
Ocean.
E. This proclamation expires at 12:01 A.M., April 15, 2004 and the season closes if the total
allowable catch is not exceeded.
December 9, 2003
11:45 A.M.
FF-53-2003
/sab