BLACK SEA BASS – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Sunday, April 1, 2007, the following restrictions shall apply to the commercial black sea bass fishery north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15.3’N. Latitude):
I. SIZE LIMIT
It is unlawful to possess black sea bass less than 11 inches total length north of Cape Hatteras. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from the tip of the nose to the tip tail, excluding the caudal fin filament.
II. HARVEST LIMITS
A. During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Sunday, April 1, 2007 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Sunday, April 15, 2007, no commercial trawl, fish pot or hook and line fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, may have total landings of more than 15,000 pounds of black sea bass taken from the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras. The Atlantic Ocean black sea bass fishery will close immediately after the Director issues a public notice that the quota of black sea bass has been landed from the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras, or at 6:00 P.M., April 15, 2007, whichever occurs first.
B. During any closed season, vessels may land up to 100 pounds of black sea bass per trip taken from the Atlantic Ocean.
III. GEAR RESTRICTIONS
FISH TRAPS/POTS:
Black sea bass pots or traps must conform with the Federal rule requirements for escape vents specified in 50 CFR 648.144 (b)(2) and for degradable fasteners specified in 50 CFR 648.144 (b)(3)(i), (ii) and (iii). (See Section IV.H).
IV. PERMITS
A. Finfish dealers may not buy more than 100 pounds of black sea bass caught north of Cape Hatteras per day per commercial fishing operation unless the dealer has a valid 2007 Black Sea Bass – North of Cape Hatteras Dealer Permit from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Permits will be issued only to those licensed fish dealers holding a valid license as authorized in G.S. 113-169.3. Dealers must abide by all conditions of the 2007 Black Sea Bass-North of Cape Hatteras Dealer Permit as set out in Proclamation FF-53-2006, dated November 21, 2006.
B. Dealers possessing a 2007 Black Sea Bass – North of Cape Hatteras Dealer Permit shall report daily by noon through FAX transmittal (252-726-3903) to the Division of Marine Fisheries black sea bass landings from the Atlantic Ocean for the previous day.
V. 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. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3M .0503, 3M .0506 and .0512 and 3O. 0501.
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 3H .0103.
C. The landing prohibition beginning at 6:00 P.M. on April 15, 2007 will allow the Division to review landing reports.
D. For the purposes of this proclamation, fish shall be considered landed when fish are unloaded or the vessel is tied to the dock, whichever occurs first.
E. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3I .0113 specifies that it is unlawful for any licensee under Chapter 113, Subchapter IV of the General Statutes to refuse to allow the Fisheries Director or his agents to obtain biological data, harvest information, or other statistical data necessary or useful to the conservation and management of marine and estuarine resources from fish in the licensees possession.
F. Federal regulations for Fisheries of the Northeastern United States specify in 50 CFR Part 648.4(a)(7) that “any vessel of the United States that fishes for or retains black sea bass in or from the EEZ north of 35°15.3’ N. lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, NC, must have been issued and carry on board a valid black sea bass moratorium permit, except for vessels other than party or charter vessels that observe the possession limit established pursuant to §648.145.â€ÂÂÂÂ
G. The intent of this proclamation is to allow North Carolina to comply with the requirements of the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council-Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) and to manage the commercial black sea bass fishery under the state quota system established by the FMP. North Carolina is operating under a state quota and these trip limits and harvest periods are intended to constrain the harvest to the quota.
H. The minimum size limit for black sea bass south of Cape Hatteras remains 10 inches in total length for commercial purposes.
I. Copies of escape vent specifications for black sea bass pots north of Cape Hatteras are available via the Federal Register posted on the Internet at www.nero.nmfs.gov/ro/doc/the648.htm and from the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.
PROCLAMATION
RE: STRIPED BASS SEASON – OCEAN TRAWL: ATLANTIC OCEAN
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Sunday, April 1, 2007, the season for the harvest of striped bass with ocean trawls in the Atlantic Ocean waters of North Carolina SHALL OPEN. The following restrictions will apply:
I. SIZE LIMIT
No person may possess, transport, buy, sell, or offer for sale striped bass less than 28 inches total length taken with ocean trawls from the Atlantic Ocean.
II. HARVEST RESTRICTIONS
A. No ocean trawl operation, regardless of the number of persons or vessels involved, may land or sell more than 100 striped bass during the harvest period beginning at 12:01 A.M. Sunday, April 1, 2007 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Sunday, April 15, 2007.
B. Striped bass may not be transferred from the harvesting vessel to any other vessel during harvesting operations or be transported by any vessel other than the vessel in which they are harvested.
III. GEAR RESTRICTIONS
A. For purposes of this proclamation, a trawl is defined as a net made of multi-strand nylon consisting of wings, a body and a codend.
B. No gill nets may be possessed on board a vessel used in the taking or landing of striped bass.
IV. LANDING RESTRICTIONS
Striped bass harvested in this fishery may only be sold to and purchased by a currently licensed finfish dealer possessing a valid 2007 Atlantic Ocean Dealer’s Striped Bass Permit.
V. DEALER PERMITS
A. No finfish dealer may possess, buy, sell or offer for sale striped bass taken from the Atlantic Ocean without first obtaining a 2007 STRIPED BASS DEALER PERMIT validated for the Atlantic Ocean from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. Dealers must abide by all conditions of the STRIPED BASS DEALER PERMIT and the general permit conditions found in NC Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3O .0503.
B. Only a STRIPED BASS DEALER PERMIT validated for the Atlantic Ocean may be used for transactions involving striped bass taken from the area opened by this proclamation.
C. Striped bass lawfully sold to a permitted dealer may be resold to a non-permitted wholesale or retail market provided the initial permitted dealer records their dealer identification number on each bill of lading or receipts involved in the shipment of striped bass. Any individual or corporation who holds a current finfish dealer license must obtain a STRIPED BASS DEALER PERMIT validated for the Atlantic Ocean in order to sell any striped bass personally harvested.
VI. SALE TAGS
A. No finfish dealer may possess, buy, sell or offer for sale striped bass taken from the Atlantic Ocean without having affixed either a North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries-issued Atlantic Ocean striped bass sale tag affixed through the mouth and gill cover or, in the case of striped bass imported from other states, a similar tag that is issued for striped bass in the state of origin.
B. North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Atlantic Ocean striped bass sale tags may not be bought, sold, offered for sale or transferred.
VII. SEASON CLOSURE
The ocean trawl season for striped bass WILL CLOSE at 6:00 P.M. April 15, 2007 unless closed earlier by proclamation when the harvest quota is met.
VIII. 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 N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3J .0202 (4), 3M .0201, .0204 and 3O.0503.
B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103.
C. The intent of this proclamation is to allow the commercial harvest of striped bass from the Atlantic Ocean by traditional gears within the quota established for the 2006/2007 season by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Fishery Management Plan for Striped Bass. The landing prohibition at 6:00 P.M. on March 16, 2007 will allow the Division to review landings reports. Landings will be allowed by proclamation after that date if the quota has not been met.
D. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean, as applicable to this proclamation are defined as waters seaward of the COLREGS Demarcation Lines as indicated on National Ocean Service navigation charts for the areas to which this proclamation applies.
E. Atlantic Ocean Commercial Dealer’s Striped Bass Permits and tags are available at no cost from all N. C. Division of Marine Fisheries offices.
PROCLAMATION
RE: SCUP
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 9:00 A.M., Sunday, April1, 2007, the following restrictions will apply to the commercial scup fishery in coastal waters including the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15′ N. Latitude):
I. SIZE AND HARVEST LIMITS
A. No person may take, possess, buy, sell or offer for sale scup less than 9 inches in length.
B. No person may possess, sell or offer for sale more than 30,000 pounds of scup during each of the following two week periods when taken with commercial fishing equipment or for commercial purposes during the Winter I Harvest Period.
1. From 9:00 A.M., April 1 through 9:00 P.M., April 15, 2007.
2. From 9:01 A.M., April 16 through 9:00 P.M., April 30, 2007.
II. TRAWL MESH REQUIREMENTS
The minimum mesh size for the commercial scup fishery will be 5 inches stretched mesh with a minimum length of 75 meshes from the terminus of the net. For small nets with less than 75 mesh codends, the entire net will be 5 inches.
III. 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 N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103 and 3M .0514.
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 3H .0103.
C. This proclamation is issued pursuant to action taken by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission establishing trip limits for the scup fishery in the Winter I period of 2007. The intent of this proclamation is to maintain North Carolina’s compliance with the requirements of the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council-Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fisheries Management Plan.
D. This proclamation sets out the harvest periods and limits for the commercial scup season through the remainder of the Winter I Harvest Period which ends April 30, 2007. The Summer Harvest Period begins May 1 and ends October 31. The Winter II Harvest Period begins November 1, 2007.
E. This proclamation supersedes FF-14-2007, dated February 13, 2007.
BLACK SEA BASS – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Sunday, April 1, 2007, the following restrictions shall apply to the commercial black sea bass fishery north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15.3’N. Latitude):
I. SIZE LIMIT
It is unlawful to possess black sea bass less than 11 inches total length north of Cape Hatteras. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from the tip of the nose to the tip tail, excluding the caudal fin filament.
II. HARVEST LIMITS
A. During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Sunday, April 1, 2007 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Sunday, April 15, 2007, no commercial trawl, fish pot or hook and line fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, may have total landings of more than 15,000 pounds of black sea bass taken from the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras. The Atlantic Ocean black sea bass fishery will close immediately after the Director issues a public notice that the quota of black sea bass has been landed from the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras, or at 6:00 P.M., April 15, 2007, whichever occurs first.
B. During any closed season, vessels may land up to 100 pounds of black sea bass per trip taken from the Atlantic Ocean.
III. GEAR RESTRICTIONS
FISH TRAPS/POTS:
Black sea bass pots or traps must conform with the Federal rule requirements for escape vents specified in 50 CFR 648.144 (b)(2) and for degradable fasteners specified in 50 CFR 648.144 (b)(3)(i), (ii) and (iii). (See Section IV.H).
IV. PERMITS
A. Finfish dealers may not buy more than 100 pounds of black sea bass caught north of Cape Hatteras per day per commercial fishing operation unless the dealer has a valid 2007 Black Sea Bass – North of Cape Hatteras Dealer Permit from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Permits will be issued only to those licensed fish dealers holding a valid license as authorized in G.S. 113-169.3. Dealers must abide by all conditions of the 2007 Black Sea Bass-North of Cape Hatteras Dealer Permit as set out in Proclamation FF-53-2006, dated November 21, 2006.
B. Dealers possessing a 2007 Black Sea Bass – North of Cape Hatteras Dealer Permit shall report daily by noon through FAX transmittal (252-726-3903) to the Division of Marine Fisheries black sea bass landings from the Atlantic Ocean for the previous day.
V. 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. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3M .0503, 3M .0506 and .0512 and 3O. 0501.
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 3H .0103.
C. The landing prohibition beginning at 6:00 P.M. on April 15, 2007 will allow the Division to review landing reports.
D. For the purposes of this proclamation, fish shall be considered landed when fish are unloaded or the vessel is tied to the dock, whichever occurs first.
E. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3I .0113 specifies that it is unlawful for any licensee under Chapter 113, Subchapter IV of the General Statutes to refuse to allow the Fisheries Director or his agents to obtain biological data, harvest information, or other statistical data necessary or useful to the conservation and management of marine and estuarine resources from fish in the licensees possession.
F. Federal regulations for Fisheries of the Northeastern United States specify in 50 CFR Part 648.4(a)(7) that “any vessel of the United States that fishes for or retains black sea bass in or from the EEZ north of 35°15.3’ N. lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, NC, must have been issued and carry on board a valid black sea bass moratorium permit, except for vessels other than party or charter vessels that observe the possession limit established pursuant to §648.145.â€ÂÂÂÂ
G. The intent of this proclamation is to allow North Carolina to comply with the requirements of the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council-Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) and to manage the commercial black sea bass fishery under the state quota system established by the FMP. North Carolina is operating under a state quota and these trip limits and harvest periods are intended to constrain the harvest to the quota.
H. The minimum size limit for black sea bass south of Cape Hatteras remains 10 inches in total length for commercial purposes.
I. Copies of escape vent specifications for black sea bass pots north of Cape Hatteras are available via the Federal Register posted on the Internet at www.nero.nmfs.gov/ro/doc/the648.htm and from the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.
PROCLAMATION
RE: STRIPED BASS SEASON – OCEAN TRAWL: ATLANTIC OCEAN
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Sunday, April 1, 2007, the season for the harvest of striped bass with ocean trawls in the Atlantic Ocean waters of North Carolina SHALL OPEN. The following restrictions will apply:
I. SIZE LIMIT
No person may possess, transport, buy, sell, or offer for sale striped bass less than 28 inches total length taken with ocean trawls from the Atlantic Ocean.
II. HARVEST RESTRICTIONS
A. No ocean trawl operation, regardless of the number of persons or vessels involved, may land or sell more than 100 striped bass during the harvest period beginning at 12:01 A.M. Sunday, April 1, 2007 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Sunday, April 15, 2007.
B. Striped bass may not be transferred from the harvesting vessel to any other vessel during harvesting operations or be transported by any vessel other than the vessel in which they are harvested.
III. GEAR RESTRICTIONS
A. For purposes of this proclamation, a trawl is defined as a net made of multi-strand nylon consisting of wings, a body and a codend.
B. No gill nets may be possessed on board a vessel used in the taking or landing of striped bass.
IV. LANDING RESTRICTIONS
Striped bass harvested in this fishery may only be sold to and purchased by a currently licensed finfish dealer possessing a valid 2007 Atlantic Ocean Dealer’s Striped Bass Permit.
V. DEALER PERMITS
A. No finfish dealer may possess, buy, sell or offer for sale striped bass taken from the Atlantic Ocean without first obtaining a 2007 STRIPED BASS DEALER PERMIT validated for the Atlantic Ocean from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. Dealers must abide by all conditions of the STRIPED BASS DEALER PERMIT and the general permit conditions found in NC Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3O .0503.
B. Only a STRIPED BASS DEALER PERMIT validated for the Atlantic Ocean may be used for transactions involving striped bass taken from the area opened by this proclamation.
C. Striped bass lawfully sold to a permitted dealer may be resold to a non-permitted wholesale or retail market provided the initial permitted dealer records their dealer identification number on each bill of lading or receipts involved in the shipment of striped bass. Any individual or corporation who holds a current finfish dealer license must obtain a STRIPED BASS DEALER PERMIT validated for the Atlantic Ocean in order to sell any striped bass personally harvested.
VI. SALE TAGS
A. No finfish dealer may possess, buy, sell or offer for sale striped bass taken from the Atlantic Ocean without having affixed either a North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries-issued Atlantic Ocean striped bass sale tag affixed through the mouth and gill cover or, in the case of striped bass imported from other states, a similar tag that is issued for striped bass in the state of origin.
B. North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Atlantic Ocean striped bass sale tags may not be bought, sold, offered for sale or transferred.
VII. SEASON CLOSURE
The ocean trawl season for striped bass WILL CLOSE at 6:00 P.M. April 15, 2007 unless closed earlier by proclamation when the harvest quota is met.
VIII. 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 N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3J .0202 (4), 3M .0201, .0204 and 3O.0503.
B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103.
C. The intent of this proclamation is to allow the commercial harvest of striped bass from the Atlantic Ocean by traditional gears within the quota established for the 2006/2007 season by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Fishery Management Plan for Striped Bass. The landing prohibition at 6:00 P.M. on March 16, 2007 will allow the Division to review landings reports. Landings will be allowed by proclamation after that date if the quota has not been met.
D. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean, as applicable to this proclamation are defined as waters seaward of the COLREGS Demarcation Lines as indicated on National Ocean Service navigation charts for the areas to which this proclamation applies.
E. Atlantic Ocean Commercial Dealer’s Striped Bass Permits and tags are available at no cost from all N. C. Division of Marine Fisheries offices.
PROCLAMATION
RE: SCUP
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 9:00 A.M., Sunday, April1, 2007, the following restrictions will apply to the commercial scup fishery in coastal waters including the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15′ N. Latitude):
I. SIZE AND HARVEST LIMITS
A. No person may take, possess, buy, sell or offer for sale scup less than 9 inches in length.
B. No person may possess, sell or offer for sale more than 30,000 pounds of scup during each of the following two week periods when taken with commercial fishing equipment or for commercial purposes during the Winter I Harvest Period.
1. From 9:00 A.M., April 1 through 9:00 P.M., April 15, 2007.
2. From 9:01 A.M., April 16 through 9:00 P.M., April 30, 2007.
II. TRAWL MESH REQUIREMENTS
The minimum mesh size for the commercial scup fishery will be 5 inches stretched mesh with a minimum length of 75 meshes from the terminus of the net. For small nets with less than 75 mesh codends, the entire net will be 5 inches.
III. 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 N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103 and 3M .0514.
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 3H .0103.
C. This proclamation is issued pursuant to action taken by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission establishing trip limits for the scup fishery in the Winter I period of 2007. The intent of this proclamation is to maintain North Carolina’s compliance with the requirements of the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council-Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fisheries Management Plan.
D. This proclamation sets out the harvest periods and limits for the commercial scup season through the remainder of the Winter I Harvest Period which ends April 30, 2007. The Summer Harvest Period begins May 1 and ends October 31. The Winter II Harvest Period begins November 1, 2007.
E. This proclamation supersedes FF-14-2007, dated February 13, 2007.
