North Carolina Administrative Code
Title 15A - Environmental Quality
Chapter 03 - MARINE FISHERIES
Subchapter K - OYSTERS, CLAMS, SCALLOPS, AND MUSSELS
Section .0200 - OYSTERS
Section 03K .0202 - CULLING REQUIREMENTS FOR OYSTERS

(a) It is unlawful to possess oysters which have accumulated dead shell, accumulated oyster cultch material, a shell length less than that specified by proclamation issued under the authority of Rule .0201 of this Section, or any combination thereof that exceeds a five-percent tolerance limit by volume. In determining whether the tolerance limit is exceeded, the Fisheries Director or his agents may grade all, any portion, or any combination of portions of the entire quantity being graded and, in cases of violations, may seize and return to public bottom or otherwise dispose of the oysters as authorized by law.

(b) All oysters shall be culled where harvested and all oysters of less than legal size, accumulated dead shell, and cultch material shall be immediately returned to the bottom from which it was taken.

(c) This Rule shall not apply to oysters imported from out-of-state solely for shucking by shucking and packing plants permitted by the Division of Marine Fisheries.