RS-1-2003

PROCLAMATION

RE: RESEARCH SANCTUARY

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:00 P.M., Monday, June 2, 2003, the following areas are declared RESEARCH SANCTUARIES and ARE CLOSED to shellfishing:

I. AREA DESCRIPTIONS:

A. BRUNSWICK COUNTY

An area off the Cape Fear River southwest of the Southport Ferry Terminal. The area is approximately 10m x10m and is delineated by four pilings and signs. The locations of the pilings are as follows:

1. 33° 55.847= N 77° 59.607’ W

2. 33° 55.851’ N 77° 59.602’ W

3. 33° 55.848’ N 77° 59.600’ W

4. 33° 55.845’ N 77° 59.605’ W

B. NEW HANOVER COUNTY

1. An area enclosed by a line beginning at a survey stone one quarter mile south of Hewletts Creek on the northwest shore of Masonboro Sound at 34° 10' 43" N – 77° 50' 41" W; thence 073° (M) 205 feet to a stake; thence 120° (M) 699 feet to a stake; thence 220° (M) 475 feet to a stake; thence 120° (M) 615 feet to a stake; thence 200° (M) 300 feet to a stake; thence 220° (M) 771 feet to a stake; thence 310° (M) 541 feet to a stake; thence 025° (M) 388 feet to a stake; thence 342° (M) 707 feet to a stake; thence 033° (M) 219 feet to a stake; thence 300° (M) 124 feet to an iron pipe; thence 029° (M)250 feet to the point of origin. This sanctuary encompasses approximately 15 acres.

2. An area south of Area 1, approximately 5 m wide by 75 m long, marked by four pilings and signs at the following coordinates:

1. 34° 10.724' N 077° 50.495' W

2. 34° 10.721' N 077° 50.487' W

3. 34° 10.611' N 077° 50.469' W

4. 34° 10.610' N 077° 50.475' W

3. An area south of Area 1, 5 m wide by 60 m long, delineated by four pilings and signs at the following coordinates:

1. 34° 10.380' N 077° 50.600' W

2. 34° 10.277’ N 077° 50.595' W

3. 34° 10.339' N 077° 50.612' W

4. 34° 10.340' N 077° 50.617’ W

C. ONSLOW COUNTY

1. An area in Stones Bay southwest of the N.C. highway 172 bridge. The area is approximately 10m x 10m and is delineated by four pilings and signs. The location of the pilings are as follows:

1. 34° 34.582= N 77° 23.991= W

2. 34° 34.573= N 77° 24.008= W

3. 34° 34.573= N 77° 24.011= W

4. 34° 34.575’ N 77° 24.005’ W

2. An area in Stump Sound, southwest of Thomas Landing within the boundaries of shellfish franchise 26-C-94. The area is approximately 10m x 10m and is delineated by four pilings and signs.The locations of the pilings are as follows:

1. 34° 29.056’ N 77° 28.805’ W

2. 34° 29.057’ N 77° 28.799’ W

3. 34° 29.053’ N 77° 28.798’ W

4. 34° 29.051’ N 77° 28.806’ W

D. CARTERET COUNTY

An area on the southeastern shoreline, near the mouth of White Oak River. The area is approximately 10m x 10m and is delineated by four pilings and signs.The location of the pilings are as follows:

1. 34° 40.847= N 77° 05.845= W

2. 34° 40.848= N 77° 05.839= W

3. 34° 40.844= N 77° 05.838= W

4. 34° 40.842= N 77° 05.846’ W

II. 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 and 3I .0109.

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. These areas will be used by the UNC-Wilmington Center for Marine Science to conduct research

on oyster growth and survival.

D. N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3I .0109, specifies that these Research Sanctuaries are in effect for one year, subject to renewal at the end of that year.

May 29, 2003

11:00 AM

RS-1-2003

/sab