FF-27-2018
PROCLAMATION
RE: COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL SHARK HARVEST – INCREASED COMMERCIAL POSSESION LIMIT FOR LARGE COASTAL SHARKS
This proclamation supersedes proclamation FF-20-2018, dated May 11, 2018 and increases the commercial possession limit of large coastal shark species (non-sandbar) and hammerhead shark management groups from 3 to 36 per vessel per trip for the 2018 Atlantic coastal shark fishery effective 12:01 AM, Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Please see the following NOAA Fishery Bulletin for more information: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-increasing-large-coastal-shark-retention-limit.
Stephen W. Murphey, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, July 18, 2018, the harvest of sharks taken in N.C. Coastal Fishing Waters is restricted as follows:
I. COMMERCIAL HARVEST RESTRICTIONS:
A. ALLOWABLE SPECIES, SEASONS AND STATUS OF THE 2018 SEASONS:
It is unlawful to possess sharks taken for commercial purposes except during open seasons established by this proclamation. Open seasons in North Carolina waters shall be the same as open seasons established by NOAA Fisheries for federal waters and followed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) in state waters. These open seasons are dependent on adherence to established quotas. The allowable shark species groups and commercial fishing seasons are defined herein as:
SPECIES GROUP
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SEASONS
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2018 STATUS OF SEASONS
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1. AGGREGATED LARGE COASTAL
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Allowable Species: blacktip, silky, spinner, bull, tiger, lemon, nurse, scalloped hammerhead, great hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, and sandbar*
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From January 1 until the annual quota is reached but not later than December 31.
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Open
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2. SMALL COASTAL
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North of 34° 00’ N. Latitude
Allowable Species: Atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, and finetooth
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From January 1 until the annual quota is reached but not later than December 31
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Open
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South of 34° 00’ N. Latitude
Allowable Species: Atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, finetooth, and blacknose**
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From January 1 until the annual quota is reached but not later than December 31
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Open
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3. PELAGIC
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Blue Sharks
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From January 1 until the annual quota is reached but not later than December 31
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Open
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Porbeagle Sharks
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From January 1 until the annual quota is reached but not later than December 31
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Open
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Shortfin mako, oceanic whitetip, and common thresher sharks
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From January 1 until the annual quota is reached but not later than December 31
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Open
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4. SMOOTH DOGFISH (SMOOTHHOUND SHARK)
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From January 1 through December 31
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Open
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If quotas are reached prior to the end of the season, harvest will be closed by proclamation
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| **It is unlawful to possess blacknose sharks north of the 34° 00' N. Latitude (approximately at Kure Beach, North Carolina). |
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