M-19-2019

PROCLAMATION

RE: STOP NETS – BEACH SEINE FISHERY - ATLANTIC OCEAN – CARTERET COUNTY

This proclamation opens the stop net beach seine fishery from October 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019 in the specified Atlantic Ocean areas of Carteret County.

Stephen W. Murphey, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, October 1, 2019, net and area restrictions as indicated below will apply to the use of stop nets in the mullet beach seine fishery:

I. SEASON and Other Restrictions:

A. It is unlawful to use stop net(s) except from 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, October 1, 2019 through 11:59 P.M., Saturday, November 30, 2019.

B. It is unlawful for those participating in the Atlantic Ocean stop net fishery in Carteret County to fail to notify N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Marine Patrol Communication (252-808-8138) prior to fishing the stop nets.

II. NET RESTRICTIONS:

A. A stop net is defined as a stationary net (not intended to gill fish) whose purpose is to impede the progress of schooling fish so that they can be harvested with a seine.

B. It is unlawful to use more than four stop nets between Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Inlet at any one time.

C. It is unlawful for a combined fishing operation to use more than two stop nets at any one time.

D. It is unlawful for a stop net to exceed 400 yards in length.

E. It is unlawful to use a stop net within 880 yards of an existing stop net.

F. It is unlawful to use a stop net unless it is constructed of webbing with a mesh length greater than six (6) inches in the 100 yards of stop net closest to the ocean beach and with a mesh length less than or equal to four (4) inches in the remainder of the stop net.

G. It is unlawful for stop net crews to fail to mark the 660-yard prohibited gill net zone with two stakes on shore set so as to indicate a range line (one near the high water mark and one in line with it further onshore).

H. It is unlawful for stop net crews to fail to mark the prohibited gill net zone with three (3) orange floatation buoys. One buoy is required at the end of the stop net; one is required 250 yards offshore at a distance of 660 yards from where the stop net reaches shore (directly offshore of the range stakes). The last orange buoy is to be placed 250 yards offshore midway between the two previously described buoys. The buoys and stakes are required to have reflective tape attached to them.

III. AREAS:
It is unlawful to use stop nets except in the Atlantic Ocean on Bogue Banks, Carteret County, between Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Inlet. Stop nets are prohibited in the following areas on Bogue Banks:

A. From Beaufort Inlet to the western boundary of Fort Macon State Park at 34° 41.6666’ N – 76° 42.0500’ W.

B. In an area beginning at the Oceanana Fishing Pier at 34° 41.6810’ N – 76° 43.6192’W and running easterly to a point one half mile east at 34° 41.6847’N – 76° 43.0985’W.

C. In an area beginning at the Double Tree by Hilton Fishing Pier at 34° 41.7022' N - 76° 46.8752’ W; running easterly to a point one half mile east at 34° 41.7042' N - 76° 46.3460' W.

D. In an area beginning at the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier at 34° 39.4760' N - 77° 01.9945' W; running easterly to a point one half mile east at 34° 39.5720’ N - 77° 01.4695' W.

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 .0502.

B. It is unlawful to violate 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. The intent of this proclamation is to establish the season, specify net restrictions and define areas in which stop nets may be used during the 2019 beach seine fishery. Stop nets are prohibited in Fort Macon State Park and within one half mile of the three remaining ocean fishing piers. The NOAA Fisheries and their Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Team requested the stop net mesh length restriction in Section II.F to reduce stop net interactions with bottlenose dolphins in nearshore ocean waters.

D. 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.

E. Contact the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557 or 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632 for more information or visit the division website at www.ncmarinefisheries.net

F. Fishermen are reminded that a NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Authorization Registration is required in this fishery and can be obtained by contacting NOAA Fisheries at 301-427-8000.

G. This proclamation opens the stop net beach seine fishery from October 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019 in the specified Atlantic Ocean areas of Carteret County.

Stephen W. Murphey, Director
DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES, DEQ

September 27, 2019
2:15 P.M.
M-19-2019