FF-48-2015

PROCLAMATION

RE: STRIPED BASS RECREATIONAL SEASON - ALBEMARLE SOUND MANAGEMENT AREA

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Thursday, October 1, 2015, the harvest of striped bass taken for RECREATIONAL PURPOSES IN THE ALBEMARLE SOUND MANAGEMENT AREA WILL OPEN and the following provisions shall apply:

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

II. SIZE AND CREEL LIMITS

A. It is unlawful to possess striped bass less than 18 inches in total length.

B. It is unlawful to possess more than three (3) striped bass taken in any one day by hook-and-line or with recreational commercial gear for recreational purposes from the Albemarle Sound Management Area.

A. Striped bass may be taken by hook and line or with recreational commercial gear for recreational purposes in the Albemarle Sound Management Area seven days a week during the open season.

B. The recreational season for striped bass in the Albemarle Sound Management Area shall close by proclamation when the harvest allocation is reached or at 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 30, 2016.

C. It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or purchase striped bass taken by hook-and-line or with recreational commercial gear for recreational purposes.

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. Recreational seasons for striped bass in the Roanoke, Eastmost, Middle and Cashie rivers are under the management jurisdiction of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and are exempt from this proclamation.

G. Commercial fishing equipment authorized by the Recreational Commercial Gear License 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.

H. 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.

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 opens the harvest of striped bass taken for recreational purposes in the Albemarle Sound Management Area. The harvest season will close by proclamation when the harvest allocation is reached or at 8:00 P.M. on April 30, 2016.