FF-68-2009

PROCLAMATION

RE: AMERICAN SHAD and HICKORY SHAD

Dr. Louis B. Daniel, III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Friday, January 1, 2010, the following restrictions will apply to the harvest of American and hickory shad:

I. SEASON

A. The American shad harvest season in the Internal Coastal and Joint fishing waters of the state, excluding the Atlantic Ocean, will open January 1, 2010.
B. The hickory shad harvest season in the Atlantic Ocean, internal Coastal and Joint waters of the state will open January 1, 2010.
C. The season for the commercial harvest of American and hickory shad will close at 12:00 midnight, Wednesday, April 14, 2010.

II. RECREATIONAL HARVEST LIMITS
It is unlawful to possess more than 10 American shad or hickory shad, in the aggregate, per person per day taken by hook-and-line or for recreational purposes.

III. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-134; 113-181; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103 and 03M .0512.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. It is unlawful to take American shad and hickory shad by any method except hook-and-line from April 15 through December 31 of each year in accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0519.

D. The intent of this proclamation is to open the waters of the state to the harvest of American and hickory shad. N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0512 places the shad fisheries under the full proclamation authority of the Fisheries Director.

December 16, 2009
9:15 A.M.
FF-68-2009
/sab