FF-32-2008

PROCLAMATION

RE: FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, INTERNAL WATERS

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, March 15, 2008, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of flounder for commercial fishing operations:

I. MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT

It is unlawful to possess flounder less than 14 inches total length taken from internal fishing waters as part of a commercial fishing operation.

II. GENERAL INFORMATION

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. 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 pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 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 Fisheries Management Plan under the authority of N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0512. The effect of this proclamation is to set the size limit of 14 inches for flounder taken by commercial fishing operations in internal fishing waters.

D. N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 3M .0503 states that it is unlawful to possess flounder less than 14 inches total length taken from the Atlantic Ocean in a commercial fishing operation.

E. The proclamation which sets the minimum size limit and possession limit for flounder taken for recreational purposes is Proclamation FF-25-2008, dated February 26, 2008.

March 13, 2008
1:00 P.M.
FF-32-2008
/sab