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FF-47-2008
PROCLAMATION RE: RED DRUM-COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATONS Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective from 12:01 A.M., Monday, April 28, 2008, until midnight, Sunday, August 31, 2008, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of red drum (channel bass) in a commercial fishing operation, unless superseded by a proclamation prior to that date: I. HARVEST LIMIT No person may possess red drum incidental to any commercial fishing operation unless the weight of the combined catch of flounder and/or striped mullet exceeds the weight of the red drum retained. Subject to I. A. above, it is unlawful to possess more than four (4) red drum per day taken in a commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of individuals or vessels involved. II. TRANSFER AND SALE It is unlawful to transfer red drum from one vessel to another during a fishing operation. 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 flounder and/or striped mullet component of the landed catch. All red drum, flounder and/or striped mullet taken in a commercial operation shall remain in the possession of the harvester and be transported together up to the point of sale. 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 and 3M .0501. 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 3H .0103. C. This action is being taken to reduce the regulatory discards of red drum in the commercial harvest. This does not change the current size limit implemented by the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan. It is unlawful to possess red drum less than 18 inches total length or greater than 27 inches total length. D. This proclamation supersedes FF-37-2008 dated April 1, 2008.
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