FF-54-2008

PROCLAMATION
RE: SNAPPER-GROUPER

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 8:00 A.M., Sunday, June 29, 2008, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of snapper-grouper from the Atlantic Ocean for recreational and commercial purposes:

I. SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS

A. The size and possession limits of N.C. Fisheries Rules for Coastal Waters 15A NCAC 3M .0506 that were suspended in Proclamation FF-38-2007, dated April 26, 2007 are replaced with the following provisions in accordance with proclamation authority in the same Rule:
1. It is unlawful to possess black sea bass south of Cape Hatteras (35 ° 15.0321’ N) less than twelve inches total length when taken for recreational purposes.
It is unlawful to take or possess more than 15 black sea bass per person per day south of Cape Hatteras without a valid Federal Commercial Snapper-Grouper permit.
Sea bass may be taken with pots that conform with the federal rule requirements for mesh sizes and pot size as specified in 50 CFR Part 622.40 and rules published in 50 CFR pertaining to sea bass north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15’N Latitude).
It is unlawful to possess vermillion snapper (beeliner) less than 12 inches total length.
It is unlawful to possess more than three red porgy per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial Snapper-Grouper permit.
It is unlawful to land more than 120 individual red porgy from May 1 through December 31 in a commercial fishing operation.

B. The following is to be added to Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0506 (p)(2) Combined Bag Limits:
It is unlawful to possess more than five grouper without a Federal Commercial Snapper-Grouper permit of which:
No more than one per person per day may be a snowy grouper;
No more than one per person per day may be a golden tilefish

II. 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 N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103 and 3M .0506.

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 maintain North Carolina’s compliance with the requirements of Amendment 13C to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. The Division of Marine Fisheries will pursue the rulemaking process through the Marine Fisheries Commission to make these changes in N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0506.

D. The minimum size limit for black sea bass south of Hatteras is now twelve (12) inches TL due to a change in the federal plan. The minimum size limit for black sea bass for commercial purposes south of Hatteras remains 10 inches total length.

E. This proclamation supersedes FF-42-2008, dated April 23, 2008.

June 27, 2008
8:00 A.M.
FF-54-2008
/sab