FF-79-2010

PROCLAMATION

RE: STRIPED BASS RECREATIONAL SEASON - ALBEMARLE SOUND MANAGEMENT AREA

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:00 Noon, Friday, November 19, 2010 the season for striped bass taken for recreational purposes in the Albemarle Sound Management Area shall remain open with the following restrictions:

I. AREA DESCRIPTION

All waters of the Albemarle Sound Management Area (ASMA) as defined in Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03R .0201 (a).

II. SEASON, SIZE AND CREEL LIMITS - ALL AREAS AND GEARS

A. No person shall take or possess striped bass less than 18 inches total length taken for recreational purposes from the Albemarle Sound Management Area.

B. No person, including Recreational Commercial Gear License (RCGL) holders, shall take or possess more than three (3) striped bass taken in any one day for recreational purposes from the Albemarle Sound Management Area.

C. Striped bass may be taken by hook and line for recreational purposes in the Albemarle Sound Management Area seven days a week during the open season.

D. For Recreational Commercial Gear License net restrictions, see Section III. C.

E. The recreational season for striped bass in the Albemarle Sound Management Area shall close at 6:00 P.M., Friday, December 31, 2010, unless closed earlier by a proclamation.

III. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G. S. 113-134; 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103, 03M .0201 and .0202.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. Gill nets used under the RCGL must adhere to net restrictions described in Proclamation M-23-2010, dated November 5, 2010, Proclamations M-24-2010 and M-25-2010, dated November 16, 2010 and subsequent proclamations issued for this area through December 31, 2010.

D. The intent of this proclamation is to allow the recreational harvest of striped bass in the Albemarle Sound Management Area within the striped bass harvest allocation established by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

E. Recreational seasons for striped bass in the Roanoke, Eastmost, Middle and Cashie rivers are under the management jurisdiction of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and are exempt from this proclamation.

F. Hook-and-line fishing equipment is not commercial fishing equipment in the striped bass fishery and it is illegal to sell or purchase striped bass taken by hook-and-line in accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0201(b).

G. Commercial fishing equipment authorized by the RCGL is not considered commercial fishing equipment in the striped bass fishery and it is illegal to sell or purchase striped bass taken by this method in accordance with N.C.G. S. 113-173.

H. All striped bass that do not meet the 18 inch total length size limit shall be immediately returned with minimum harm to the water where taken.

I. This proclamation supersedes FF-69-2010, dated September 20, 2010.

November 17, 2010
11:15 A.M.
FF-79-2010