BLACK SEA BASS – RECREATIONAL PURPOSES – ATLANTIC OCEAN

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 6:00 A.M. Monday, June 5, 2006, the following restrictions will apply to the taking of black sea bass for recreational purposes from the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15’N Latitude):

I. MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT

No person may possess black sea bass less than 12 inches total length taken from the Atlantic Ocean for recreational purposes.

II. POSSESSION LIMIT

It is unlawful to possess more that twenty five (25) black sea bass per person per day taken in the Atlantic Ocean 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; 113-182; 113-221; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103; 3I .0102, 3M .0503 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 the joint Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council – Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fisheries Management Plan under the authority of N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0506.

D. Rule 3M .0506 (b) is still in effect and states that south of Cape Hatteras, it is unlawful to possess black sea bass less than 10 inches total length and it is unlawful to take or possess more than 20 black sea bass per person, per day without a valid Federal Commercial Snapper-Grouper permit.

E. This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-5-2004, dated January 14, 2004.

USCG CUTTER EAGLE SAILS IN FOR 30TH ANNUAL NORFOLK HARBORFEST

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle will participate in the Norfolk's Harborfest 2006 Parade of Sail Friday, June 9.

As the sole tall ship in United States government service, Eagle uniquely executes its two primary missions of training and representation. The demands on team organization, coordination and unity of effort required to successfully sail a square-rigged vessel make the Eagle a superlative leadership laboratory, providing Coast Guard cadets and officer candidates opportunities to practice both historically tested and newly identified leadership principles.

While the Eagle often performs in a multi-mission operational manner expected of all Coast Guard ships called upon to execute missions ranging from search and rescue to marine environmental protection, its secondary mission after training is representation. The Eagle serves as a U.S. and U.S. Coast Guard ambassador wherever the ship may be viewed-on the high seas, in coastal waters and especially during ports of calls.

The Eagle proudly represents our nation and the Coast Guard, using every opportunity to tell the Coast Guard story of over 200 years of exemplary service as a military armed force and a humanitarian service.

N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission

N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission members Dr. B.J. Copeland, Bradley Styron, David Beresoff and David Hilton will meet June 6 at 1 p.m. at the Division of Marine Fisheries, 3441 Arendell Street, Morehead City, to begin drafting a letter to the N.C. General Assembly.

The letter is to express dissatisfaction with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the South Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, and the need for reforms regarding North Carolina’s relationship with these management entities.

If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Fish at 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.

ADMIN NOTE:  We need to REALLY watch this....This action can have WIDE reaching effects on our fishing world.

SHELLFISH POLLUTED AREA

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, upon the recommendation of Leah Devlin, D.D.S., M.P.H., State Health Director, Department of Health and Human Services, hereby announces that the following changes in shellfish harvesting area will take effect at sunrise, Thursday, June 1, 2006.

All those waters in Carteret and Onslow counties will return to the status in existence immediately prior to the May 27, 2006 temporary closures.


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 3K .0101.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the N.C. Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103.

C. It should be noted that leases closed on April 3, 2006, to allow relaying of shellfish from closed areas, also remain closed.

D. These reopenings are due to satisfactory bacteriological sampling results.