RS-4-2016

PROCLAMATION

RE: RESEARCH SANCTUARY- MASONBORO SOUND - UNC-WILMINGTON

This Proclamation establishes a closure to shellfishing in Research Sanctuary areas in Masonboro Sound.

Braxton C. Davis, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Sunday, January 1, 2017, in the area described below, the following restrictions apply:

I. AREA DESCRIPTION

NEW HANOVER COUNTY

Ten 30’ x 30’ Research Sanctuaries located in Big Bay and Craig’s Bay, behind Masonboro Island and north of Carolina Beach Inlet on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway are delineated by four corner posts and marked with signs, in the locations shown on the attached map.

The coordinates for the four corner post of each research sanctuary area are as follows:

BIG BAY

RS-4-1:

1. 34° 9.482'N 77° 50.432'W
2. 34° 9.474'N 77° 50.435'W
3. 34° 9.466'N 77° 50.430'W
4. 34° 9.470'N 77° 50.420'W

RS-4-2:

1. 34° 9.463'N 77° 50.324'W
2. 34° 9.457'N 77° 50.320'W
3. 34° 9.457'N 77° 50.314'W
4. 34° 9.467'N 77° 50.320'W

RS-4-3:

1. 34° 9.737'N 77° 50.293'W
2. 34° 9.741'N 77° 50.287'W
3. 34° 9.756'N 77° 50.298'W
4. 34° 9.744'N 77° 50.306'W

RS-4-4:

1. 34° 9.704'N 77° 50.560'W
2. 34° 9.698'N 77° 50.567'W
3. 34° 9.692'N 77° 50.563'W
4. 34° 9.697'N 77° 50.552'W

RS-4-5:

1. 34° 9.644'N 77° 50.460'W
2. 34° 9.644'N 77° 50.464'W
3. 34° 9.633'N 77° 50.462'W
4. 34° 9.635'N 77° 50.455'W

RS-4-6:

1. 34° 9.628'N 77° 50.451'W
2. 34° 9.626'N 77° 50.455'W
3. 34° 9.633'N 77° 50.462'W
4. 34° 9.635'N 77° 50.455'W

RS-4-7:

1. 34° 9.874'N 77° 50.419'W
2. 34° 9.882'N 77° 50.427'W
3. 34° 9.878'N 77° 50.416'W
4. 34° 9.884'N 77° 50.424'W

CRAIG’S BAY

RS-4-8:

1. 34° 8.750'N 77° 51.322'W
2. 34° 8.754'N 77° 51.314'W
3. 34° 8.748'N 77° 51.313'W
4. 34° 8.746'N 77° 51.318'W

RS-4-9:

1. 34° 8.926'N 77° 51.126'W
2. 34° 8.929'N 77° 51.119'W
3. 34° 8.920'N 77° 51.117'W
4. 34° 8.921'N 77° 51.126'W

RS-4-10:

1. 34° 9.028'N 77° 51.012'W
2. 34° 9.024'N 77° 51.005'W
3. 34° 9.020'N 77° 51.011'W
4. 34° 9.024'N 77° 51.015'W

II. RESTRICTIONS
It is unlawful to take shellfish in the area described in I.

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 Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103 and 03I .0109.

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. These areas will be used by the UNC-Wilmington Center for Marine Science to conduct research on the impacts of shellfish aquaculture on wild shellfish resources.

D. Contact 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 our website at www.ncmarinefisheries.net.

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. In accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03I .0109 (a) (2), any closure or restriction in the Research Sanctuary shall be for no more than one year, subject to renewal at the discretion of the Fisheries Director.

G. This Proclamation establishes a closure to shellfishing in Research Sanctuary areas in Masonboro Sound.

Braxton C. Davis, Director
DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES

December 22, 2016
10:16 A.M.
RS-4-2016