FF-6-2003

 

 

 

PROCLAMATION

                                                                                                         

RE:        STRIPED BASS SEASON –OCEAN TRAWL:  ATLANTIC OCEAN

 

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 5:00 P.M., Thursday, January 23, 2003 the following restrictions will apply to the harvest of striped bass with ocean trawls in the Atlantic Ocean waters of North Carolina.

 

I.    SEASON CLOSURE

     

      The Atlantic Ocean trawl season for striped bass WILL CLOSE due to the harvest allocation being approached.

 

II.   LANDING RESTRICTIONS

 

Harvest will be allowed until 5:00 P.M. and all catches must be at the fish house/dealer by 8:00 P.M. on January 23, 2003.

 

III.  GENERAL INFORMATION

 

A.   This proclamation is issued under the authority of G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5;113-182; 113-221(e); 143B-289.52; and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103, 3M .0201 and 3M.0204.

 

B.   It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Director under his delegated authority per 15A NCAC 3H .0103.

 

      C.   The landing prohibition beginning at 5:00 P.M. on January 23, 2003 will allow the Division to review landing reports.  Landings may be allowed by proclamation after that date if the quota of striped bass has not been taken.

 

D.     The intent of this proclamation is to allow the commercial harvest of striped bass from the Atlantic Ocean by traditional gears within the quota established for the 2003 season by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Fishery Management Plan for Striped Bass.

     

      E.   This proclamation supersedes FF-5-2003 dated January 16, 2003,which opened the season.

 

January 21, 2003

1:00 P.M.

FF-6-2003

/sab