2006 OYSTER RESTRICTIONS 2006 OYSTER RESTRICTIONS
Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at sunrise, Sunday, October 15, 2006, the oyster season SHALL OPEN. The following restrictions shall apply to the oyster fishery:
I. HARVEST RESTRICTIONS
A. MEANS AND METHODS
1. Oysters may be taken by hand and hand operated implements only. See General Information Section F. for further gear restrictions.
2. Oysters may not be transferred from the harvesting vessel to any other vessel during oyster harvesting operations or be transported by any vessel other than the vessel in which they are harvested.
B. HARVEST DAYS – Oyster harvest will be allowed Monday through Friday of each week except as provided in General Information Section II D. below.
C. QUANTITY – Properly licensed persons may take or possess no more than five (5) bushels of oysters per day and may not exceed a total of ten (10) bushels in any combined commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of persons or boats which may be involved. For non-commercial harvest limits see General Information Section VI. D. below.
D. MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT – The size limit will be three (3) inches shell length for oysters taken on public or private grounds. (See General Information Section II. G. below)
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 Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3K .0201, 3K .0202 and 3K .0205. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3K Sections .0100 et seq. and .0200 et seq. specify conditions, restrictions and authority granted to the Fisheries Director for management of oyster stocks.
B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103.
C. It is unlawful to possess or sell oysters without a harvest tag affixed to each container in accordance with Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3K .0101 (d).
D. In accordance with provisions in N.C.G.S. 113-169.2, one bushel of oysters per person per day not to exceed two bushels per vessel per day may be taken without a license for non-commercial use seven days a week. This amount cannot be in addition to daily harvest limits specified under Harvest Restrictions in Section I. C. of this proclamation.
E. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3K .0106 (a) prohibits the taking of oysters between the hours of sunset and sunrise on any day.
F. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3K .0102 prohibits the taking of oysters with rakes more than 12 inches wide or weighing more than six pounds.
G. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3K .0207 exempts permitted aquaculture operations from bag and size limit restrictions.
Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at sunrise, Sunday, October 15, 2006, the oyster season SHALL OPEN. The following restrictions shall apply to the oyster fishery:
I. HARVEST RESTRICTIONS
A. MEANS AND METHODS
1. Oysters may be taken by hand and hand operated implements only. See General Information Section F. for further gear restrictions.
2. Oysters may not be transferred from the harvesting vessel to any other vessel during oyster harvesting operations or be transported by any vessel other than the vessel in which they are harvested.
B. HARVEST DAYS – Oyster harvest will be allowed Monday through Friday of each week except as provided in General Information Section II D. below.
C. QUANTITY – Properly licensed persons may take or possess no more than five (5) bushels of oysters per day and may not exceed a total of ten (10) bushels in any combined commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of persons or boats which may be involved. For non-commercial harvest limits see General Information Section VI. D. below.
D. MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT – The size limit will be three (3) inches shell length for oysters taken on public or private grounds. (See General Information Section II. G. below)
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 Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3K .0201, 3K .0202 and 3K .0205. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3K Sections .0100 et seq. and .0200 et seq. specify conditions, restrictions and authority granted to the Fisheries Director for management of oyster stocks.
B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103.
C. It is unlawful to possess or sell oysters without a harvest tag affixed to each container in accordance with Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3K .0101 (d).
D. In accordance with provisions in N.C.G.S. 113-169.2, one bushel of oysters per person per day not to exceed two bushels per vessel per day may be taken without a license for non-commercial use seven days a week. This amount cannot be in addition to daily harvest limits specified under Harvest Restrictions in Section I. C. of this proclamation.
E. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3K .0106 (a) prohibits the taking of oysters between the hours of sunset and sunrise on any day.
F. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3K .0102 prohibits the taking of oysters with rakes more than 12 inches wide or weighing more than six pounds.
G. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3K .0207 exempts permitted aquaculture operations from bag and size limit restrictions.
