FF-13-2019

PROCLAMATION

RE: STRIPED BASS SEASON – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS ALBEMARLE SOUND MANAGEMENT AREA

This proclamation supersedes FF-11-2019, dated April 9, 2019. IT CLOSES THE COMMERCIAL HARVEST SEASON FOR STRIPED BASS at 11:59 P.M. on Monday, April 15, 2019.

Stephen W. Murphey, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 11:59 P.M. on Monday, April 15, 2019, THE STRIPED BASS SEASON FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS WILL CLOSE in the Albemarle Sound Management Area as described below:

I. AREA DESCRIPTION
Albemarle Sound Management Area as described in N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03R .0201 (a).

II. SEASON CLOSURE
No person may take, possess, transport, buy, sell, or offer for sale striped bass from the area defined above. Dealers will have until two weeks after the closing of the season to sell, offer for sale, transport, or have in possession unfrozen striped bass taken in this fishery.

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 the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103, 03M .0202, and 03O .0500.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority per N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. In accordance with N.C. General Statute 113-221.1(c) All persons who may be affected by proclamations issued by the Fisheries Director are under a duty to keep themselves informed of current proclamations.

D. It is unlawful for a dealer to possess, buy, sell or offer for sale striped bass taken from the Albemarle Sound Management Area without holding a valid STRIPED BASS DEALER PERMIT validated for the Albemarle Sound Management Area from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. Dealers must abide by all conditions which appear on the permit as well as the general provisions which appear in N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3O .0500.

E. 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 Albemarle Sound Management Area in order to sell any striped bass personally harvested.

F. The intent of this proclamation is to manage the commercial harvest of striped bass in the Albemarle Sound Management Area within the 137,500 pound annual harvest quota established by the November 2014 Revision to Amendment 1 of the North Carolina Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan.

G. All striped bass taken during the season closures and all undersize striped bass shall be immediately returned to the water where taken, regardless of the condition of the fish.

H. In accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0201, it is unlawful for a dealer to possess, buy, sell, or offer for sale striped bass taken from the Albemarle Sound Management Area without having a N. C. Division of Marine Fisheries issued Albemarle Sound Management Area striped bass tag affixed through the mouth and gill cover. In case of striped bass imported from other states, a similar tag that is issued for striped bass in the state of origin must be affixed. All unused tags shall be returned to the Division of Marine Fisheries after the season closes.

I. Contact the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632 for more information or visit the division website at http://ncmarinefisheries.net.

J. This proclamation supersedes FF-11-2019, dated April 9, 2019. IT CLOSES THE COMMERCIAL HARVEST SEASON FOR STRIPED BASS in the Albemarle Sound Management Area at 11:59 P.M. on Monday, April 15, 2019.

Stephen W. Murphey, Director
DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES, DEQ

April 12, 2019
3:10 P.M.
FF-13-2019