FF-68-2015
PROCLAMATION
RE: FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL PURPOSES- INTERNAL COASTAL WATERS- SIZE LIMIT AND GEAR RESTRICTIONS
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Friday, January 1, 2016, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of flounder in a commercial fishing operation in Internal Coastal Waters:
I. MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT
It is unlawful to possess flounder less than 15 inches total length.
II. GEAR RESTRICTIONS
It is unlawful to possess flounder taken from gill nets with a stretched mesh length less than 6 inches.
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 N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103; 3M .0503 and 3M .0512.
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 Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103.
C. The intent of this proclamation is to manage the commercial flounder fishery in Internal Coastal Waters in accordance with Supplement A to Amendment 1 of the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.
D. In accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 3M .0503 it is unlawful to possess flounder less than 14 inches total length taken from the Atlantic Ocean in a commercial fishing operation.
E. 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.
F. Contact N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557 252-726-7021or 800-682-2632 for more information or visit the division website at www.ncmarinefisheries.net/.
G. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-46-2009, dated June 24, 2009. It implements a 15 inch minimum size limit and prohibits the harvest of flounder from gill nets less than 6 inches for the commercial flounder fishery in Internal Coastal Waters. This action is being taken in accordance with Supplement A to Amendment 1 of the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.
December 17, 2015
2:30 P.M.
FF-68-2015