Preston
P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that
effective at 12:01A.M., Monday, April 1,
2001, the following area will be exempt from the escape ring requirement in
crab pots until 12:01 A.M., Tuesday,
April 17, 2001:
I.
AREA DESCRIPTION:
All
internal waters of Core Sound bounded in the north by a line from Piney Point
at 34° 49’ 34” N – 76° 25’ 02” W, running to a point on Core Banks at 34° 49’
36” N – 76° 21’ 02” W; and bounded in the south by the Harkers Island Bridge
and a line from a point on the south shore of Harkers Island at 34° 41’ 55” N –
76° 34’ 49” W, running through Bottle Run Point to shore at 34° 40’ 13” N – 76°
35’ 30” W.
II.
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 Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103 and 3J .0301.
B)
It is unlawful to
violate provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under
his delegated authority per 15A NCAC 3H .0103.
C)
This action is being
taken to allow the harvest of mature female crabs. The variable condition is that the female crabs do not enter
peeler pots baited with males until the water temperature increases. This is an extension of the period
specified in Proclamation PT-1-2001, dated February 21, 2001, due to cold water
temperatures.
D)
During this period of
exemption, escape rings in crab pots may be obstructed to retain the crabs.
E)
Fisheries Rule 15A
NCAC 3J .0301 (g) authorizes the Fisheries Director exempt crab pots from the
escape ring requirement during the period of
November 1 through April 30.
March 30, 2001
9:00 A.M.
PT-2-2001
/sab