New Ocean Stipers (TRAWL) proclamation

by **Back-Lash** Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:18 pm

FF-21-2011

PROCLAMATION

RE: STRIPED BASS SEASON – OCEAN TRAWL: ATLANTIC OCEAN

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Thursday, February 3, 2011, the season for the harvest of striped bass with ocean trawls in the Atlantic Ocean waters of North Carolina SHALL OPEN. The following restrictions will apply:
I. SIZE LIMIT
No person may possess, transport, buy, sell, or offer for sale striped bass less than 28 inches total length taken with ocean trawls from the Atlantic Ocean.
II. HARVEST RESTRICTIONS

A. It is unlawful to take or possess striped bass from the Atlantic Ocean in a trawl operation without having an Atlantic Ocean Striped Bass Commercial Gear Permit designated for the trawl fishery.
B. It is unlawful for an Atlantic Ocean Striped Bass Commercial Gear Permit for trawl holder to land or sell more than 2,000 pounds of striped bass per vessel, per day, regardless of the number of permit holders on board, during the harvest period beginning at 12:01 A.M., Thursday, February 3, 2011 and ending at 6:00 P.M. Friday, February 4, 2011.
C. Vessels with an Atlantic Ocean Striped Bass Commercial Permit designated for trawls may transfer up to 2,000 pounds of striped bass to another vessel with the trawl permit in the Atlantic Ocean seaward of the COLREG Demarcation lines (see VIII.F) at the inlets.
D. It is unlawful for an Atlantic Ocean Striped Bass Commercial Gear Permit for trawls holder to possess more than 2,000 pounds of striped bass in internal waters.

III. GEAR RESTRICTIONS

A. For purposes of this proclamation, a trawl is defined as a net made of multi-strand nylon consisting of wings, a body and a codend.
B. No gill nets may be possessed on board a vessel used in the taking or landing of striped bass.

IV. LANDING RESTRICTIONS
Striped bass harvested in this fishery may only be sold to and purchased by a currently licensed finfish dealer possessing a valid 2010/2011 Atlantic Ocean Dealer’s Striped Bass Permit