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M-12-2006 PROCLAMATION RE: FOR-HIRE FISHING PERMIT Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective 12:01 A.M., Monday, January 1, 2007, the following management measures will be implemented for For-Hire Fishing Vessels: I. FOR-HIRE FISHING PERMIT ELIGIBILITY REQIUIREMENTS It is unlawful for a for-hire vessel that does not obtain a valid and current For Hire Blanket Coastal Recreational Fishing License for the number of persons on the vessel to engage in for hire fishing for recreational purposes without possessing a For-Hire Fishing Permit (FH Permit) from the Division of Marine Fisheries. A separate For-Hire Permit is required for each vessel. It is unlawful to fail to abide by all conditions listed in N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3O .0502 and .0504 and on the FH Permit, including the following specific conditions. The FH Permit shall be in the possession of the vessel operator while the permitted vessel is engaged in for-hire fishing activity for recreational purposes in North Carolina state waters or when the vessel originates from or returns to a North Carolina port. The vessel operator and/or owner of the permitted for-hire vessel shall participate in statistical information and data collection programs. C. The vessel operator shall notify the Division of Marine Fisheries immediately of any changes to the information listed above in I.D. While engaged in for-hire fishing activity, the vessel operator must hold a valid USCG Operator’s License that allows taking passengers for hire. Each permitted vessel shall display a current FH Permit decal mounted on an exterior surface of the vessel so as to be plainly visible when viewed from the port side while engaged in for-hire recreational fishing.
A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G. S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3O .0502, .0504 and 3O .0506. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103. The intent of this proclamation is to implement a permit for for-hire fishing vessels so that the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries can produce an accurate and current list of participants in the for-hire fleet fishing for recreational purposes. This list will be used by the Division to collect effort data from the recreational for-hire fleet. For Hire Fishing Permits will be issued by the Division of Marine Fisheries at no cost beginning December 1, 2006. The For-Hire Fishing Permit is an annual permit and will expire one year from date of purchase. Types of for-hire fishing vessels include, but are not limited to, the following: Charterboat – vessel for hire engaged in recreational fishing typically hired on a per trip basis. Headboat- vessel for hire engaged in recreational fishing typically hired on a per person basis. Guide Boat- vessel for hire carrying a fishing guide and recreational fishermen engaged in fishing. Dive Boat- vessel for hire engaged in underwater diving that allows persons to take fish for recreational purposes.
September 27, 2006 |