VI. SEA TURTLE INTERACTION REPORTING:
Fishermen shall report all sea turtle interactions with gill nets in the PSGNRA to the NCDMF Communication Center in Morehead City, NC by phone at 1-800-682-2632 immediately. Failure to report interactions may result in suspension or revocation of the PSGNRA Permit.
VII. GENERAL INFORMATION:
A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-134; 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103, 3I .0107, 03I .0113, 03J .0103, 03O .0506 and 03R .0201.
B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.
C. The intent of this proclamation is to implement management measures in the fall gill net fisheries in southeastern Pamlico Sound that are expected to reduce interactions with threatened and endangered sea turtles from September 15 through November 30, 2012 These actions are expected to provide increased levels of protection for threatened and endangered sea turtles in Pamlico Sound gill net fisheries. The harvest period will end prior to November 30 if the number of sea turtle interactions exceeds allowable levels.
D. “Attendance” is defined in N.C. Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03I .0101 (2) (b).
E. Gill Net Restricted Area Permits are available at no cost from all Division of Marine Fisheries License Offices.
F. From 12:01 A.M. on September 15 through November 30, 2012, attendance is required for commercial fishing operations using small mesh gill nets, as referenced in N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 03J .0103(h).
G. This proclamation supplements, but does not supersede, the small mesh gill net yardage restriction of 800 yards and the attendance requirement established in Proclamation M-38-2012 dated August 29, 2012, for the areas described in Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 03R .0201(a).
H. Fishermen must contact the NCDMF Marine Patrol at 1-800-682-2632 if a sea turtle is incidentally captured, regardless of its status (active and uninjured, injured, lethargic or dead). Resuscitation and handling protocol must be followed for all sea turtles incidentally captured.
I. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation M-36-2012, dated August 27, 2012 which closed Pamlico Sound. It also supersedes the portions of Proclamation M-37-2011, dated August 29, 2012 that pertain to the areas of Pamlico Sound described in this proclamation only.
September 6, 2012
1:00 P.M.
M-39-2012
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries • 3441 Arendell Street • Morehead City, NC 28557 • 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632 |

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