M-13-2006

PROCLAMATION

RE: MULLET - STOP NETS - ATLANTIC OCEAN – CARTERET COUNTY

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M. Sunday, October 1, 2006, net restrictions as indicated below will apply to the use of stop nets in the mullet beach seine fishery:

I. SEASON:
Stop net(s) may be used only from October 1, 2006 through November 30, 2006.

II. NET RESTRICTIONS:
A. A stop net is defined as a stationary net (not intended to gill fish) whose purpose is to impede the progress of schooling fish so that they can be harvested with a seine.
B. A maximum of four stop nets may be used between Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Inlet at any one time.
C. A combined fishing operation may not use more than two stop nets at any one time.
D. A stop net may not exceed 400 yards in length. The inshore 100 yard portion must be constructed of webbing a minimum of 8 inches (stretched mesh) and the offshore 50 yard portion must be constructed of webbing a minimum of 8 inches. The remaining section of the net shall be constructed of webbing a minimum of 6 inches.
E. A stop net may not be used within 880 yards of an existing stop net.

III. AREAS:
Stop nets may be used only in the Atlantic Ocean on Bogue Banks, Carteret County, between Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Inlet, in the following areas:

A. From a point beginning at the western boundary of Fort Macon State Park at 34° 41.6666' N - 76° 42.0500’ W to a point 275 yards west of the Fort Macon State Park Boundary at 34° 41.7000’ N - 76° 42.2500’ W.
B. From a point beginning at the western boundary of Raleigh Street in Atlantic Beach at 34° 41.8666’ N - 76° 44.5333’ W to a point at 34° 41.8166’ N - 76° 46.6333' W.
C. From a point at 34° 41.8000' N - 76° 47.1500’ W to a point at 34° 40.5666' N - 76° 57.2166' W.
D. From a point at 34° 40.5000' N - 76° 57.6000' W to a point at 34° 39.7500'N - 77° 01.5000' W.
E. From a point at 34° 39.5000' N - 77° 02.5833’ W to Bogue Inlet.

IV. GENERAL INFORMATION:
A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103 and 3M .0502.

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

C. The intent of this proclamation is to establish the season, specify net restrictions, and define areas in which stop nets may be used during the 2006 beach seine mullet fishery. Variable conditions are the seasonal distribution of striped mullet along Bogue Banks for their fall migration south and offshore and to avert user conflicts. The former site of the Iron Steamer Fishing Pier was removed from the descriptions in Section III.

D. Fishermen are reminded that a National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal Authorization Registration is required in this fishery and can be obtained by contacting NMFS at (301) 713-2322.

September 27, 2006
8:30 P.M.
M-13-2006
/sab