PT-6-2008

PROCLAMATION

RE: CRAB, EEL, FISH AND SHRIMP POTS - LOWER BROAD CREEK

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Sunday, June 1, 2008, the following restrictions will apply to crab, eel, fish, and shrimp pots in Neuse River:

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF RULE:

North Carolina Marine Fisheries Rules for Coastal Waters 15A NCAC 3R .0107 (a) (8) is modified to prohibit potting in the area described below:

II. POTS MAY NOT BE SET FROM JUNE 1 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30 IN THE AREA DESCRIBED BELOW: (See Map)
Lower Broad Creek:
Beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 05.8314’N - 76° 35.3845’W; running southwesterly along the Secondary Nursery Area line to the six (6) foot contour at 35° 05.7321‘N – 76° 35.5046‘W; running southerly following the six (6) foot depth contour near Marker “2A” to a point 35° 05.5442’N – 76° 35.2886’W; running northerly to a point 35° 05.7446’N – 76° 35.2980’W; running westerly along the shore to the point of beginning.

III. GENERAL INFORMATION:

A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-174.4; 113-170.5;113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103 , 3I .0102, and 3J .0301 (j).

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. The intent of this proclamation is to resolve user conflicts between crab potters and shrimp trawlers at the mouth of Lower Broad Creel in Neuse River. It closes some portions of the area described in 15A NCAC 3R .0107 (a) (8) through November. A public meeting was held May 22, 2008 to solicit public comments as required under 15A NCAC 3J .0301(j).

D. The map is provided to illustrate the area described in II. above, in which crab pots are prohibited through November. The subject area appears blackened above Tonney Hill Point at the mouth of Broad Creek.

E. The temporary suspension of the portion of the rule is necessary to implement the changes
agreed to in the conflict resolution meeting.

May 29, 2008
1:45 P.M.
PT-6-2008
/sab