FF-25-2016
PROCLAMATION
RE: COBIA - COASTAL FISHING WATERS- RECREATIONAL SEASON HARVEST AND SIZE LIMITS AND COMMERCIAL HARVEST AND SIZE LIMITS-TEMPORARY RULE SUSPENSION
Braxton C. Davis, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Monday, May 23, 2016, the following restrictions will apply to the cobia fishery in Coastal Fishing Waters:
I. SUSPENSION OF N.C. MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION RULE 15A NCAC 03M .0516
N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M. 0516 that reads as follows is suspended in its entirety:
(a) It is unlawful to possess cobia less than 33 inches fork length.
(b) It is unlawful to possess more than two (2) cobia per person per day.
II. RECREATIONAL SEASON, HARVEST AND SIZE LIMITS
A. RECREATIONAL SIZE LIMIT AND SEASON 1. It is unlawful to possess cobia less than 37 inches fork length.
2. It is unlawful to possess a commercial and recreational limit of cobia on the same vessel.
3. The season for the recreational harvest of cobia will close September 30, 2016 unless closed earlier by proclamation.
B. FOR-HIRE VESSEL (While engaged in a For-Hire Vessel operation) 1. It is unlawful to possess more than four (4) cobia per vessel per day or one (1) cobia per person per day if fewer than four (4) people are on board.
2. Harvest will be allowed seven (7) days per week.
C. PRIVATE VESSEL (All vessels not engaged in a For-Hire Vessel operation) 1. It is unlawful to possess more than two (2) cobia per vessel per day or one (1) cobia per person per day, if there is only one person on board.
2. It is unlawful to possess cobia except on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday of each week.
D. SHORE-BASED FISHERY (Including beach, bank and manmade structures such as piers, docks, bridges and jetties) 1. It is unlawful to possess more than one (1) cobia per person per day.
2. Harvest will be allowed seven (7) days per week.
III. COMMERCIAL HARVEST AND SIZE LIMIT
A. It is unlawful to possess cobia less than 33 inches fork length.
B. It is unlawful to possess more than two (2) cobia per Standard Commercial Fishing License holder per day in a commercial fishing operation.
C. It is unlawful to possess a commercial and recreational limit of cobia on the same vessel.