M-4-2008

PROCLAMATION

RE: DISCRETIONARY HERRING PERMIT

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective 8:00 A.M., Monday, February 11, 2008, the following management measures will be implemented for harvest of the discretionary river herring allowance:

The River Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP) contains a no harvest provision. The Marine Fisheries Commission agreed to a limited research set-aside to be allocated at the Director’s discretion in order to collect data necessary for stock analysis and to provide availability of some local product for local cultural events. In order to implement the harvest of this discretionary amount, a Discretionary Herring Fishing Permit is being created. Individuals interested in participating in the harvest need to meet the requirements below and contact the Division of Marine Fisheries to indicate that interest. The Division may be contacted by telephone at (252) 726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632, Extensions 8013 or 8075 between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.

I. DISCRETIONARY HERRING PERMIT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

It is unlawful for a person to engage in harvest of the discretionary river herring (alewife and blueback herring) allowance without possessing a Discretionary Herring Fishing Permit (DHF Permit) from the Division of Marine Fisheries. A separate DHF Permit is required for each individual participating in the harvest.

Harvest of the discretionary poundage will only be permitted in the Joint Fishing Waters of Chowan River on March 19 through March 22, 2008.

To be eligible to hold a DHF Permit, the individual must hold a North Carolina Standard Commercial Fishing License (SCFL) or a Retired SCFL.

Individual SCFL holders who are interested in participating in a limited harvest of river herring shall contact the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Morehead City Office by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, February 18, 2008.

When indicating interest in participating, the individual shall provide the Division of Marine Fisheries his or her full name, SCFL number, mailing address, residence address, telephone numbers (home, business and cellular) and date of birth.

The individual permit holder shall participate in statistical information and data collection programs. All river herring harvested shall be sold to a licensed and permitted River Herring Dealer.

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. Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3M .0513, 3O .0502, .0504 and .0506.

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. It shall be unlawful to fail to abide by all permit conditions listed in N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3O .0502 and .0504 and the DHF Permit.

D. The intent of this proclamation is to implement the special permit for individuals to harvest the discretionary river herring allowance in Chowan River to collect biological data and also provide various cultural events an opportunity to obtain available fresh river herring.

E. The DHF Permits will be issued by the Division of Marine Fisheries at no cost.

F. Allowable harvest limits will be set once the number of permits has been determined.

February 8, 2008
9:00 A.M.
M-4-2008
/sab