M-16-2010

RE: LARGE MESH GILL NETS: CORE SOUND

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective one hour after sunrise, Friday, September 3, 2010, the following provisions shall apply to the use of large mesh gill nets:

I. AREA DESCRIPTION

A. SOUTHERN CORE SOUND AND TRIBUTARIES –The area of southern Core Sound bound in the north by a line from the southern tip of the entrance to Drum Inlet on Core Banks at 34° 51.2330’ N - 76° 19.5570’ W; running northwesterly to a point at Steep Point near Atlantic at 34° 52.4290’ N - 76° 20.8310’ W; and bound in the south by a line beginning in Marshallberg at a point 34° 43.1500’ N - 76° 31.2000’ W; running southeasterly to Beacon “42A” off Marshallberg; running southeasterly to Beacon “10” off Browns Island; running southwesterly to Beacon “6”off Eastmouth Bay; running southwesterly to Beacon “35” at the entrance to Barden Inlet Channel; running southerly along Bardens Inlet Channel to Core Banks at a point 34° 38.1000’ N - 76° 30.9000’ W.
(See Map)

B. NORTHERN CORE SOUND AND TRIBUTARIES -The area of Core Sound bound in the north by a line near Wainwright Island from a point 34° 59.7942’ N - 76° 14.6514’ W on Camp Point; running easterly to a point at 34° 58.7853’ N - 76° 09.8922’ W on Core Banks; and bound in the south by a line from the southern tip of the entrance to Drum Inlet on Core Banks at 34° 59.7942’ N - 76° 14.6514’ W; running northwesterly to a point at Steep Point near Atlantic at 34° 58.7853’ N - 76° 09.8922’ W.

II. GILL NET RESTRICTIONS AND EXEMPTION

A. It is unlawful to use large mesh gill nets (defined as 4 inches to 6½ inches stretched mesh, inclusive) in the area described in I.A. above effective one hour after sunrise Friday, September 3, 2010.

B. Large mesh gill nets may be used in area I.B. above under the net restrictions required in Proclamation M-14-2010, dated August 13, 2010.

C. Run-around or strike nets and drop nets that are used to surround a school of fish and then are immediately retrieved are exempted from the restrictions in this 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 and 03J .0101 and .0103.

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. The intent of this proclamation is to close southern Core Sound to the use of large mesh gill nets due to the number of observed sea turtle interactions that have occurred. Northern Core Sound will remain open until further notice.

D. The restrictions in this proclamation apply to gill nets used by Recreational Commercial Gear License holders as well as Standard and Retired Commercial Fishing Licenses holders.

E. This proclamation supersedes the portion of Proclamation M-11-2010, dated June 25, 2010, which opened Core Sound.

September 1, 2010
1:15 P.M.
M-16-2010