IV. 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 Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103, and 03M .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 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. Recreational Commercial Gear License gill net restrictions are found in M-proclamations issued for this area.
E. The intent of this proclamation is to allow the recreational harvest of striped bass in the Albemarle Sound Management Area within the 68,750 pound annual harvest quota established by the November 2014 Revision to Amendment 1 to the North Carolina Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan.
F. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0201 defines striped bass as striped bass and its hybrids.
G. Recreational seasons for striped bass in the Roanoke River Management Area, which is designated as the Roanoke River and its joint and inland tributaries, including the Eastmost, Middle and Cashie rivers, up to the Roanoke Rapids dam, is under the management jurisdiction of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and is exempt from this proclamation.
H. Commercial fishing equipment authorized by the Recreational Commercial Gear License is not considered commercial fishing equipment in the striped bass fishery and it is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or purchase striped bass taken by this method in accordance with N.C.G.S. 113-173.
I. N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0202 states that all striped bass that do not meet the minimum size limit specified by proclamation shall immediately be returned to the waters from which taken regardless of condition.
J. 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.
K. This proclamation opens the harvest of striped bass taken for recreational purposes in the Albemarle Sound Management Area. It sets the daily possession limit to two (2) striped bass taken for recreational purposes. The recreational season for striped bass in the Albemarle Sound Management Area shall close by proclamation when the harvest allocation is reached or at 11:59 P.M. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

Stephen W. Murphey, Director
DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES, DEQ
September 27, 2018
2:29 P.M.
FF-36-2018