FF-37-2008

PROCLAMATION

RE: RED DRUM-COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:00 Noon, Thursday, April 3, 2008 the following will apply to the harvest of red drum from a commercial fishing operation in the Coastal Fishing Waters of North Carolina.

I. HARVEST RESTRICTIONS

It is unlawful to possess red drum incidental to any commercial fishing operation, EXCEPT that one red drum per person per day may be retained for personal consumption.
B. It is unlawful to buy, sell, or offer for sale red drum. One red drum per person per day may be retained for personal consumption.
C. It is unlawful to possess or land red drum unless the weight of the combined catch of all other finfish (excluding menhaden) exceeds the weight of the red drum retained (bycatch requirement).
Dealers will have until April 15, 2008 to sell, offer for sale, transport, or have in possession unfrozen red drum taken prior to this closure.

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 and 3M .0501.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103.

C. This action is being taken because the annual commercial harvest limit of red drum (250,000 pounds) implemented by the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan has been met. For red drum, the commercial fishing year is September 1 through August 31.

D. N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0501 states it is unlawful possess red drum less than 18 inches total length or greater than 27 inches total length.

E. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-48-2007 dated June 28, 2007.

April 1, 2008
11:00 A.M.
FF-37-2008
/sab