FF-43-2010

PROCLAMATION

RE: RED DRUM-COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATONS

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M. Friday, April 2, 2010, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of red drum (channel bass) in a commercial fishing operation:

I. HARVEST LIMIT

A. It is unlawful to possess more than ten (10) red drum per day taken in a commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of individuals or vessels involved.
B. Subject to I. A. above, it is unlawful to possess more than one red drum per day in a commercial fishing operation unless the weight of the combined catch of other finfish species (except menhaden) exceeds the weight of the red drum retained.

II. TRANSFER AND SALE

A. It is unlawful to transfer red drum from one vessel to another during a fishing operation.
B. All red drum shall be sold to a licensed North Carolina seafood fish dealer and the red drum shall be sold prior to the sale of the other species component of the landed catch.
C. All legally-possessed finfish species taken in a commercial operation also taking red drum shall remain in the possession of the harvester and be transported together up to the point of sale.

III. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52; and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 03M .0501 and 03M .0512.
B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.
C. This action is being taken to implement a change to the red drum commercial harvest limit as allowed in the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan. The annual harvest limit for the fishing year September through August remains 250,000 pounds. This period (May through August), the harvest limit will be 100,000 pounds. During the September through April period, the harvest limit will be 150,000 pounds. It is unlawful to possess red drum less than 18 inches total length or greater than 27 inches total length.
D.This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-45-2009 issued June 2, 2009 and changes the commercial possession limit from seven to ten red drum. It also changes the requirement to have specific incidental species exceed the weight of the red drum and now permits any species but menhaden to make up that required bycatch. It continues to allow the retention of one red drum without requiring the incidental species.

March 29, 2010
10:00 A.M.
FF-43 -2010