FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Saturday, February 1, 2014, the following restrictions shall apply to the commercial flounder fishery:

I.    HARVEST LIMITS

A.    During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Saturday, February 1, 2014 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Monday, February 24, 2014, no commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, may land more than 15,000 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean without a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean flounder fishery will close immediately after the Director issues a public notice that the winter/spring quota of flounder has been landed from the Atlantic Ocean, or at 6:00 P.M., February 24, 2014, whichever occurs first.

II.   PERMITS

A.   Finfish dealers may not land more than 100 pounds of flounder per trip per commercial fishing operation unless the dealer has a valid 2014 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit. Vessels landing more than 100 pounds of flounder per trip from the Atlantic Ocean are required to possess a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean 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 2014 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit.

B.   Dealers possessing a 2014 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit shall report flounder landings from the Atlantic Ocean through FAX transmittal (252-726-3903) or electronic mail on forms provided by the Division of Marine Fisheries.  Flounder landings reports for each day’s catch shall be reported by noon of the following day.

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. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03M .0503 and 03O. 0500 et seq.

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 Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. 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. 

D.  N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (1) states  it is unlawful to land more than 100 pounds per trip of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean unless the vessel has been issued a North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.  This is in addition to the normally required licenses.

E.    N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (2) specifies that it is unlawful for a fish dealer to purchase or off-load more than 100 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean by a vessel that has not first produced a valid North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.

F.     N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (g) specifies that if trawls with a cod end mesh length of 5 ½ inches stretched mesh (or 6 inches square mesh) or smaller are used or possessed on board a vessel, no more than 200 pounds of flounder may be possessed or landed from that vessel from November 1 through April 30.

G.  N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03I .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 licensee’s possession.

H.  The intent of this proclamation is to establish trip limits and a reporting process for the taking of flounder from the Atlantic Ocean to assure that the quota allocated to North Carolina in the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council – Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Management Plan for Summer Flounder is not exceeded.

I.    Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permits are available at no cost from all Division of Marine Fisheries License Offices.

J.   This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-2-2014, dated January 14, 2014.
 

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Saturday, February 1, 2014, the following restrictions shall apply to the commercial flounder fishery:

I.    HARVEST LIMITS

A.    During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Saturday, February 1, 2014 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Monday, February 24, 2014, no commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, may land more than 15,000 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean without a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean flounder fishery will close immediately after the Director issues a public notice that the winter/spring quota of flounder has been landed from the Atlantic Ocean, or at 6:00 P.M., February 24, 2014, whichever occurs first.

II.   PERMITS

A.   Finfish dealers may not land more than 100 pounds of flounder per trip per commercial fishing operation unless the dealer has a valid 2014 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit. Vessels landing more than 100 pounds of flounder per trip from the Atlantic Ocean are required to possess a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean 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 2014 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit.

B.   Dealers possessing a 2014 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit shall report flounder landings from the Atlantic Ocean through FAX transmittal (252-726-3903) or electronic mail on forms provided by the Division of Marine Fisheries.  Flounder landings reports for each day’s catch shall be reported by noon of the following day.

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. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03M .0503 and 03O. 0500 et seq.

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 Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. 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. 

D.  N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (1) states  it is unlawful to land more than 100 pounds per trip of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean unless the vessel has been issued a North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.  This is in addition to the normally required licenses.

E.    N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (2) specifies that it is unlawful for a fish dealer to purchase or off-load more than 100 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean by a vessel that has not first produced a valid North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.

F.     N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (g) specifies that if trawls with a cod end mesh length of 5 ½ inches stretched mesh (or 6 inches square mesh) or smaller are used or possessed on board a vessel, no more than 200 pounds of flounder may be possessed or landed from that vessel from November 1 through April 30.

G.  N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03I .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 licensee’s possession.

H.  The intent of this proclamation is to establish trip limits and a reporting process for the taking of flounder from the Atlantic Ocean to assure that the quota allocated to North Carolina in the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council – Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Management Plan for Summer Flounder is not exceeded.

I.    Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permits are available at no cost from all Division of Marine Fisheries License Offices.

J.   This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-2-2014, dated January 14, 2014.

 

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, January 1, 2013, the following restrictions shall apply to the commercial flounder fishery:

I.    HARVEST LIMITS

During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, January 1, 2013 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Thursday, January 31, 2013, no commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, may have total landings of more than 30,000 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean. These operations require a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.  The Atlantic Ocean flounder fishery will close immediately after the Director issues a public notice that the fall quota of flounder has been landed from the Atlantic Ocean, or at 6:00 P.M., January 31, 2013, whichever occurs first.

II.   PERMITS

A.   Finfish dealers may not buy more than 100 pounds of flounder per day per commercial fishing operation unless the dealer has a valid 2013 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit. Vessels landing more than 100 pounds of flounder per day from the Atlantic Ocean are required to possess a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean 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 2013 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit.

B.   Dealers possessing a 2013 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit shall report flounder landings from the Atlantic Ocean through FAX transmittal (252-726-3903) or electronic mail on forms provided by the Division of Marine Fisheries.  Flounder landings reports for each day’s catch shall be reported by noon of the following day.
 
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. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03M .0503 and 03O. 0500 et seq.

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 Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. 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. 

D.  N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (1) states  it is unlawful to land more than 100 pounds per trip of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean unless the vessel has been issued a North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.  This is in addition to the normally required licenses.

E.     N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (2) specifies that it is unlawful for a fish dealer to purchase or off-load more than 100 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean by a vessel that has not first produced a valid North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.

F.     N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (g) specifies that if trawls with a cod end mesh length of 5 ½ inches stretched mesh (or 6 inches square mesh) or smaller are used or possessed on board a vessel, no more than 200 pounds of flounder may be possessed or landed from that vessel from November 1 through April 30.

G.  N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03I .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 licensee’s possession.

H.  The intent of this proclamation is to establish trip limits and a reporting process for the taking of flounder from the Atlantic Ocean to assure that the winter, 2013 quota allocated to North Carolina in the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council – Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Management Plan for Summer Flounder is not exceeded.

I.    Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permits are available at no cost from all Division of Marine Fisheries License Offices.

December 12, 2012

11:30 A.M.

FF-66-2012
 

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, January 1, 2013, the following restrictions shall apply to the commercial flounder fishery:

I.    HARVEST LIMITS

During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, January 1, 2013 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Thursday, January 31, 2013, no commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, may have total landings of more than 30,000 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean. These operations require a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.  The Atlantic Ocean flounder fishery will close immediately after the Director issues a public notice that the fall quota of flounder has been landed from the Atlantic Ocean, or at 6:00 P.M., January 31, 2013, whichever occurs first.

II.   PERMITS

A.   Finfish dealers may not buy more than 100 pounds of flounder per day per commercial fishing operation unless the dealer has a valid 2013 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit. Vessels landing more than 100 pounds of flounder per day from the Atlantic Ocean are required to possess a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean 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 2013 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit.

B.   Dealers possessing a 2013 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit shall report flounder landings from the Atlantic Ocean through FAX transmittal (252-726-3903) or electronic mail on forms provided by the Division of Marine Fisheries.  Flounder landings reports for each day’s catch shall be reported by noon of the following day.

 

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. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03M .0503 and 03O. 0500 et seq.

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 Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. 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. 

D.  N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (1) states  it is unlawful to land more than 100 pounds per trip of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean unless the vessel has been issued a North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.  This is in addition to the normally required licenses.

E.     N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (2) specifies that it is unlawful for a fish dealer to purchase or off-load more than 100 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean by a vessel that has not first produced a valid North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.

F.     N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (g) specifies that if trawls with a cod end mesh length of 5 ½ inches stretched mesh (or 6 inches square mesh) or smaller are used or possessed on board a vessel, no more than 200 pounds of flounder may be possessed or landed from that vessel from November 1 through April 30.

G.  N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03I .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 licensee’s possession.

H.  The intent of this proclamation is to establish trip limits and a reporting process for the taking of flounder from the Atlantic Ocean to assure that the winter, 2013 quota allocated to North Carolina in the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council – Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Management Plan for Summer Flounder is not exceeded.

I.    Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permits are available at no cost from all Division of Marine Fisheries License Offices.

December 12, 2012

11:30 A.M.

FF-66-2012

 

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, November 28, 2012, the following restrictions shall apply to the commercial flounder fishery:

I. HARVEST LIMITS

During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, November 28, 2012 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Monday, December 31, 2012, no commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, may have total landings of more than 20,000 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean. These operations require a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean flounder fishery will close immediately after the Director issues a public notice that the fall quota of flounder has been landed from the Atlantic Ocean, or at 6:00 P.M., December 31, 2012, whichever occurs first.

II. PERMITS

A. Finfish dealers may not buy more than 100 pounds of flounder per day per commercial fishing operation unless the dealer has a valid 2012 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit. Vessels landing more than 100 pounds of flounder per day from the Atlantic Ocean are required to possess a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean 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 2012 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit.

B. Dealers possessing a 2012 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit shall report flounder landings from the Atlantic Ocean through FAX transmittal (252-726-3903) or electronic mail on forms provided by the Division of Marine Fisheries. Flounder landings reports for each day’s catch shall be reported by noon of the following day.

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. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03M .0503 and 03O. 0500 et seq.

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 Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. 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.

PROCLAMATION FF-59-2012

PAGE 2

D. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (1) states it is unlawful to land more than 100 pounds per trip of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean unless the vessel has been issued a North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean. This is in addition to the normally required licenses.

E. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (2) specifies that it is unlawful for a fish dealer to purchase or off-load more than 100 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean by a vessel that has not first produced a valid North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.

F. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (g) specifies that if trawls with a cod end mesh length of 5 ½ inches stretched mesh (or 6 inches square mesh) or smaller are used or possessed on board a vessel, no more than 200 pounds of flounder may be possessed or landed from that vessel from November 1 through April 30.

G. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03I .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 licensee’s possession.

H. The intent of this proclamation is to increase the summer flounder limit to 20,000 pounds to encourage vessels to land their catches in North Carolina ports. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-47-2012, dated September 11, 2012, which set a 15,000 pound limit for the remainder of the year.

I. Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permits are available at no cost from all Division of Marine Fisheries License Offices.

November 26, 2012

3:15 P.M.

FF-59-2012

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, November 28, 2012, the following restrictions shall apply to the commercial flounder fishery:

I. HARVEST LIMITS

During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, November 28, 2012 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Monday, December 31, 2012, no commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, may have total landings of more than 20,000 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean. These operations require a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean flounder fishery will close immediately after the Director issues a public notice that the fall quota of flounder has been landed from the Atlantic Ocean, or at 6:00 P.M., December 31, 2012, whichever occurs first.

II. PERMITS

A. Finfish dealers may not buy more than 100 pounds of flounder per day per commercial fishing operation unless the dealer has a valid 2012 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit. Vessels landing more than 100 pounds of flounder per day from the Atlantic Ocean are required to possess a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean 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 2012 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit.

B. Dealers possessing a 2012 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit shall report flounder landings from the Atlantic Ocean through FAX transmittal (252-726-3903) or electronic mail on forms provided by the Division of Marine Fisheries. Flounder landings reports for each day’s catch shall be reported by noon of the following day.

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. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03M .0503 and 03O. 0500 et seq.

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 Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. 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.

PROCLAMATION FF-59-2012

PAGE 2

D. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (1) states it is unlawful to land more than 100 pounds per trip of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean unless the vessel has been issued a North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean. This is in addition to the normally required licenses.

E. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (2) specifies that it is unlawful for a fish dealer to purchase or off-load more than 100 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean by a vessel that has not first produced a valid North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.

F. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (g) specifies that if trawls with a cod end mesh length of 5 ½ inches stretched mesh (or 6 inches square mesh) or smaller are used or possessed on board a vessel, no more than 200 pounds of flounder may be possessed or landed from that vessel from November 1 through April 30.

G. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03I .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 licensee’s possession.

H. The intent of this proclamation is to increase the summer flounder limit to 20,000 pounds to encourage vessels to land their catches in North Carolina ports. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-47-2012, dated September 11, 2012, which set a 15,000 pound limit for the remainder of the year.

I. Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permits are available at no cost from all Division of Marine Fisheries License Offices.

November 26, 2012

3:15 P.M.

FF-59-2012

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN
 
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, February 1, 2012, the following restrictions shall apply to the commercial flounder fishery:
 
I. HARVEST LIMITS
                                
During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, February 1, 2012 and ending at 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 15, 2012, no commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, may have total landings of more than 10,000 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean. These operations require a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean flounder fishery will close immediately after the Director issues a public notice that the fall quota of flounder has been landed from the Atlantic Ocean, or at 6:00 P.M., February 15, 2012, whichever occurs first.
 
II. PERMITS

A. Finfish dealers may not buy more than 100 pounds of flounder per day per commercial fishing operation unless the dealer has a valid 2012 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit. Vessels landing more than 100 pounds of flounder per day from the Atlantic Ocean are required to possess a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean 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 2012 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit.

B. Dealers possessing a 2012 Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit shall report flounder landings from the Atlantic Ocean through FAX transmittal (252-726-3903) or electronic mail on forms provided by the Division of Marine Fisheries. Flounder landings reports for each day’s catch shall be reported by noon of the following day.

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. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 03M .0503 and 03O. 0500 et seq.

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 03H .0103.

C. 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.

D. The landing prohibition beginning at 6:00 P.M. on January 31, 2012 will allow the Division to review landing reports.

E. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (1) states it is unlawful to land more than 100 pounds per trip of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean unless the vessel has been issued a North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean. This is in addition to the normally required licenses.

F. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (c) (2) specifies that it is unlawful for a fish dealer to purchase or off-load more than 100 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean by a vessel that has not first produced a valid North Carolina License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean.

G. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (g) specifies that if trawls with a cod end mesh length of 5 ½ inches stretched mesh (or 6 inches square mesh) or smaller are used or possessed on board a vessel, no more than 200 pounds of flounder may be possessed or landed from that vessel from November 1 through April 30.

H. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03I .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 licensee’s possession.

I. The intent of this proclamation is to establish trip limits and a reporting process for the taking of flounder from the Atlantic Ocean to assure that the spring, 2012 quota allocated to North Carolina in the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council – Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Management Plan for Summer Flounder is not exceeded.

J. Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permits are available at no cost from all Division of Marine Fisheries License Offices.

K. This proclamation supersedes FF-2-2012, dated January 11, 2012.