Preston
P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that
effective at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April
19, 2003, the following area will be exempt from the escape ring requirement
in crab pots until 12:01 A.M., May 30, 2003.
I.
AREA DESCRIPTION:
Newport River bounded by the Highway 70 Bridge in the south and the
Highway 101 Bridge at Core Creek in the north. (No Map)
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 Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103 and 3J .0301.
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)
This action is being
taken to allow the harvest of mature female crabs. The variable condition is that the female crabs do not enter
peeler pots baited with males until the water temperature increases.
D)
During this period of
exemption, escape rings in crab pots may be obstructed to retain the crabs in
the area described above.
E)
Fisheries Rule 15A
NCAC 3J .0301 (g) authorizes the Fisheries Director exempt crab pots from the
escape ring requirement during the period of
November 1 through April 30.
April 17, 2003
1:00 P.M.
PT-1-2003
/sab