FF-59-2008

PROCLAMATION

RE: RED DRUM-COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATONS

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Monday, September 1, 2008, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of red drum (channel bass) in a commercial fishing operation:

I. HARVEST LIMIT
A. No person may possess red drum incidental to any commercial fishing operation unless the weight of the combined catch of flounder and/or striped mullet exceeds the weight of the red drum retained.

B. Subject to I. A. above, it is unlawful to possess more than four (4) red drum per day taken in a commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of individuals or vessels involved.

C. The commercial harvest limit for the period from September 1 through April 30 is 100,000 pounds. A proclamation limiting or prohibiting harvest will be issued if that harvest limit is approached before April 30, 2009.

II. TRANSFER AND SALE
A. It is unlawful to transfer red drum from one vessel to another during a fishing operation.
B. All red drum shall be sold to a licensed North Carolina seafood fish dealer and the red drum shall be sold prior to the sale of the flounder and/or striped mullet component of the landed catch.
C. All red drum, flounder and/or striped mullet taken in a commercial operation shall remain in the possession of the harvester and be transported together up to the point of sale.

III. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52; and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3M .0501 and 3M .0512.

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 action is being taken to reduce the regulatory discards of red drum in the commercial harvest. This does not change the current size limit implemented by the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan. It is unlawful to possess red drum less than 18 inches total length or greater than 27 inches total length.

D. The annual commercial harvest limit for red drum for the fishing year September 1 through August 31 will remain 250,000 pounds. This period (September, 2008 through April, 2009), the harvest limit will be 100,000 pounds. A total of 50,000 pounds has been deducted as partial payback for overages during the last fishing year.

E. This proclamation supersedes FF-47-2008 dated April 25, 2008.

August 20, 2008
1:30 P.M.
FF-59-2008
/sab