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FF-60-2008 PROCLAMATION RE: STRIPED BASS RECREATIONAL SEASON – CENTRAL SOUTHERN MANAGEMENT AREA Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, October 1, 2008 the season for striped bass taken for recreational purposes shall open in the following area with the following restrictions: AREA DESCRIPTION: The Central Southern Management Area as defined in Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3R .0201 (c). II. SEASON, MEANS AND METHODS: A. Striped bass may be taken for recreational purposes seven days a week during the open season. B. The recreational season for striped bass in the Central Southern Management Area will close at 6:00 P.M., Thursday, April 30, 2009. C. It is unlawful to possess striped bass from the coastal waters of the Cape Fear River and its tributaries. III. SIZE AND CREEL LIMITS: A. No person shall take or possess striped bass less than 18 inches total length taken for recreational purposes. B. No person, including RCGL holders, shall take or possess more than two (2) striped bass taken in any one day for recreational purposes. C. It is unlawful to possess striped bass between the lengths of 22 and 27 inches (total length) in joint waters of the Central Southern Management Area. D. All striped bass that do not meet the legal size limit shall be immediately returned with minimum harm to the waters where taken. 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 .0202. 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. D. Hook-and-line fishing equipment is not considered commercial fishing equipment in the striped bass fishery and it is illegal to sell or purchase striped bass taken by hook-and-line in accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0201(b). E. Commercial fishing equipment authorized by the RCGL is not considered commercial fishing equipment in the striped bass fishery and it is illegal to sell or purchase striped bass taken by this method in accordance with N.C.G. S. 113-173. F. As required by Proclamation M-9-2008, dated April 28, 2008, Recreational Commercial Gear License (RCGL) gill nets in internal fishing waters west (upstream) of the 76° 28.0000’W longitude line which passes near Roos Point at the mouth of Pungo River south to Point of Marsh at the mouth of the Neuse River must be configured as follows: 1. RCGL gill nets with a mesh length of greater than 5 ½ inches are required to be equipped with tie downs spaced no farther apart than 10 yards, restricting the vertical distance between the top and bottom lines to 36 inches or less. Nets must be set so as to fish on the bottom and not exceed a vertical height of 36 inches. The net(s) shall be attended when used from one hour after sunrise through one hour before sunset. 2. If RCGL gill nets are attended, gill nets are exempt from a 50 yard minimum distance from shore requirement in upper Neuse, Pamlico and Pungo rivers. G. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0201 defines striped bass as striped bass and its hybrids.
August 22, 2008 |