SC-2-2004 PROCLAMATION RE: 2004 BAY SCALLOP SEASON Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 7:30 A.M., Wednesday, March 3, 2004 the bay scallop season will open with the following restrictions: I. AREA DEION All internal waters of the state II. HARVEST METHODS, DAYS AND TIME PERIOD A. Scallops may be taken from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. by hand, with hand rakes, hand tongs, dip nets and scoops. 1.For commercial purposes, Mondays through Fridays of each week. 2.For recreational purposes, Mondays through Fridays of each week. B. Scallops shall not be taken with dredges, nor shall a dredge shall not be possessed aboard a vessel being used to take scallops.
III. HARVEST LIMITS
A. For commercial purposes no person shall take, attempt to take, or have in possession more than ten (10) U.S. standard bushels per day in any combined fishing operation, regardless of the number of persons or boats which may be involved. No person shall transfer scallops from the catching vessel to any other vessel or transport scallops by any vessel other than the vessel from which they are harvested.
B. For recreational purposes, no person shall take or have in possession more than ½ bushel of scallops per person per day not to exceed one bushel if two or more persons are on a vessel.
IV. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221 (e); 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3K .0501.
B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority per 15A NCAC 3H .0103.
C. The recreational harvest limit cannot be combined with the commercial harvest limit.
D. The harvest of bay scallops from any properly posted Research Sanctuary is prohibited by Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3I .0109.
E. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation SC-1-2004, dated January 6, 2004. It prohibits the use of dredges to harvest bay scallops.