SF-10-2009/2010

PROCLAMATION

RE: 2009/2010 MECHANICAL HARVEST OF CLAMS

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 7:30 A.M., Monday, December 7, 2009, the mechanical harvest of clams WILL OPEN with the following restrictions:

I. AREA DESCRIPTIONS

ONSLOW/CARTERET COUNTIES
Clams may be taken by mechanical methods in portions of Bogue Sound, New River, Newport River, North River and Core Sound indicated by the hatched areas shown on the attached maps.

II. HARVEST DAYS/TIMES
For the two weeks starting December 7 and December 14, 2009, mechanical methods may be used Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Beginning December 21, 2009, and for the remainder of the season, mechanical methods may be used to take clams Mondays through Wednesdays from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. only

III. HARVEST LIMITS
A. In accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03K .0302(a), a maximum daily harvest of 3,750 clams (15 bags at 250 clams per bag) in possession will be allowed per commercial fishing operation on North River, Newport River and Bogue Sound. A maximum daily harvest of 5,000 clams (20 bags at 250 clams per bag) in possession will be allowed per fishing operation in Core Sound. A maximum daily harvest limit of 6,250 clams (25 bags at 250 clams per bag) in possession will be allowed per commercial fishing operation in New River. A daily harvest shall not exceed a cumulative total of 6,250 clams (25 bags at 250 clams per bag) per fishing operation in any coastal fishing waters, regardless of the harvest methods employed.

B. No person shall transfer clams from the catching vessel to any other vessel or transport clams by any vessel other than the vessel from which they are caught.

IV. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-183; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103; 03I.0101 (3) (i) and 03K .0105, .0301, .0302, .0303 and .0304.

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 03H .0103.


C. In accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03K .0105, it is unlawful to possess for recreational purposes more than 100 clams per person per day, not to exceed 200 clams per vessel per day.

D. It is unlawful to use mechanical gear on private bottoms unless a permit is obtained pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03K .0303. Permits are available, at no cost, from all Division of Marine Fisheries License Offices.

E. All areas within 25 feet of privately marked and maintained navigation channels and piers, all marked shellfish leases, except as allowed by N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 03K .0303, all polluted shellfish areas, all established beds of aquatic vegetation and natural or live oyster beds shall remain closed to the mechanical harvest of clams.

F. The Division of Marine Fisheries shall place markers with green signs along the boundaries of referenced areas which will be considered the actual closure line. Unauthorized removal or relocation of any marker or sign shall not change the area opened, nor shall any such unauthorized removal or relocation or the absence of any marker or sign affect the applicability of any proclamation pertaining to any such body of water or portion thereof. Where there is conflict between markers or signs and maps, maps shall prevail.

G. When markers or signs delineating the boundaries of the mechanical harvest areas are removed, destroyed, or relocated to the degree that the lines are unenforceable, or when aerial surveys reveal flagrant violations as evidenced by bottom disturbance behind the lines, the Division shall close the affected water body for a period not less than one week. This time shall be used for restoration of the markers or signs and correcting the alignment of the harvest area.

H. Mechanical methods for clamming are defined in Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03I .0101 (3) (i).

I. Pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03K .0304, it is unlawful to take clams by any method other than hand tongs, hand rakes or by hand except as provided in Proclamation SF-10 -2009/2010. That Rule also sets the restrictions for possession of mechanical harvest gear for clamming aboard a vessel.

November 9, 2009
11:00 A.M.
SF-10-2009/2010
/sab