M-38-2013
PROCLAMATION
RE: LARGE MESH GILL NETS: INTERNAL COASTAL WATERS
Dr. Louis B. Daniel III Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at one hour before sunset on Sunday, November 24, 2013, the following provisions shall apply to the use of large mesh gill nets:
I. SUSPENSION OF PORTION OF N.C. MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION RULE 15A NCAC 03J .0103
The following portion of Marine Fisheries Rules for Coastal Waters 15A NCAC 03J .0103 is suspended:
Section (i) (1), which reads:
(i) For gill nets with a mesh length five inches or greater, it is unlawful:
(1) To use more than 3,000 yards of gill net per vessel in internal waters regardless of the number of individuals involved.
The provisions below in this proclamation shall be complied with at all times.
II. AREAS AND EXEMPTIONS
A. This proclamation applies to all internal coastal waters south of the Albemarle Sound Management Area except the Neuse, Bay and Pamlico rivers described as follows: 1. In Pamlico, Bay and Neuse rivers, the restrictions do not apply west of a line in the vicinity of the mouths of those waterbodies described below: a. Pamlico River – a line beginning at a point at 35º 24.5920’N - 76º 32.3810’W near Currituck Point; running southwesterly to a point at 35º 19.6960’N - 76º 36.5360’W near Fulford Point.
b. Bay River – a line beginning at a point 35º 11.0760’N - 76º 31.6200’W near Bay Point; running southerly to a point at 35º 08.9290’N - 76º 32.2680’W near Maw Point.
c. Neuse River – a line beginning at a point 35º 08.9290’N - 76º 32.2680’W near Maw Point; running southerly to a point at 34° 59.29400’N – 76° 34.8230’W on the east shore of the mouth of South River.
2. In river areas listed in II. A. 1. above: a. It is unlawful to use or possess more than 2,000 yards of large mesh gill net per vessel.
b. It is unlawful to fail to be present at the nets at least once during a 24 hour period no later than noon each day.
III. EXEMPTION FOR RUN-AROUND, STRIKE OR DROP NETS
A run-around, strike or drop net that is used to surround a school of fish and then is immediately retrieved is exempted from the restrictions in this proclamation.
IV. GILL NET CONSTRUCTION AND USE REQUIREMENTS
It is unlawful to use large mesh gill nets (defined as 4 inches to 6½ inches stretched mesh, inclusive) unless they comply with the following provisions:
A. It is unlawful to use large mesh gill nets of more than 15 meshes in height and without a lead core or leaded bottomline. It is unlawful to use cork, floats, or other buoys except those required for identification.
B. It is unlawful to use or possess more than 2,000 yards of large mesh gill net per vessel north of a line at latitude 34° 48.2660’ N which runs approximately from the Club House on Core Banks westerly to a point on the shore at Davis near Marker “1”, and it is unlawful to use or possess more than 1,000 yards of large mesh gill net per vessel south of that line.
C. It is unlawful to set more than 100 yards of large mesh gill net without leaving a space of at least 25 yards between separate lengths of net.
