FF-35-2001

PROCLAMATION

RE: FLOUNDER-RECREATIONAL PURPOSES-ATLANTIC OCEAN

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, April 25, 2001, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of flounder for recreational purposes from the Atlantic Ocean:

I. SUSPENSION OF RULE

The portion of N.C. Fisheries Rules for Coastal Waters 15A NCAC 3M. 0503 (a) (3), which reads, “It is unlawful to possess flounder less than 15 inches total length taken from the Atlantic Ocean for recreational purposes” is suspended until superseded by another proclamation.

The portion of N.C. Fisheries Rules for Coastal Waters 15A NCAC 3M .0503 (f) which reads, “It is unlawful to possess more than eight flounder per person per day taken for recreational purposes from the Atlantic Ocean” is suspended from 12:01 A.M. Tuesday, May 1, through 12:01 A.M. Tuesday, May 15, 2001.

II. SIZE LIMIT

It is unlawful to possess flounder less than 15½ inches total length taken from the Atlantic Ocean for recreational purposes.

III. HARVEST LIMIT

The harvest limit for taking flounder for recreational purposes in the Atlantic Ocean beginning at 12:01 A.M. Tuesday, May 1, 2001 and lasting until 12:01 A.M. Tuesday, May 15, 2001 will be zero (0) flounder.

IV. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of G.S. 113-182; 113-221(e); 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3I .0102, 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 per 15A NCAC 3H .0103.

C. The eight flounder possession limit in Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0503 (f) applies EXCEPT from May 1 through May 14, 2001.

D. The effect of this proclamation is to close the Atlantic Ocean recreational flounder season from May 1 through May 14, 2001. The intent of this proclamation is to maintain North Carolina’s compliance with the requirements of the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council-Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder Fisheries Management Plan.

April 17, 2001

10:00 A.M

FF-35 –2001