Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 6, September 16, 2024
(a) The following
are the only commercial fishing gear authorized (including restrictions) for
use under a valid Recreational Commercial Gear License:
(1) One seine 30 feet or over in length but
not greater than 100 feet with a mesh length less than 2 1/2 inches when
deployed or retrieved without the use of a vessel or any other mechanical
methods. A vessel may be used only to transport the seine;
(2) One shrimp trawl with a headrope not
exceeding 26 feet in length per vessel.
(3) With or without a vessel, five eel, fish,
shrimp, or crab pots in any combination, except only two pots of the five may
be eel pots. Peeler pots are not authorized for recreational
purposes;
(4) One multiple hook or
multiple bait trotline up to 100 feet in length;
(5) Gill Nets:
(A) Not more than 100 yards of gill nets with
a mesh length equal to or greater than 2 1/2 inches except as provided in (C)
of this Subparagraph. Attendance is required at all times;
(B) Not more than 100 yards of gill nets with
a mesh length equal to or greater than 5 1/2 inches except as provided in (C)
of this Subparagraph. Attendance is required when used from one hour after
sunrise through one hour before sunset in internal coastal fishing waters east
and north of the Highway 58 Bridge at Emerald Isle and in the Atlantic Ocean
east and north of 77° 04.0000' W. Attendance is required at all times in
internal coastal fishing waters west and south of the Highway 58 Bridge at
Emerald Isle and in the Atlantic Ocean west and south of 77° 04.0000' W;
and
(C) Not more than 100 yards of
gill net may be used at any one time, except that when two or more Recreational
Commercial Gear License holders are on board, a maximum of 200 yards may be
used from a vessel;
(D) It is
unlawful to possess aboard a vessel more than 100 yards of gill nets with a
mesh length less than 5 1/2 inches and more than 100 yards of gill nets with a
mesh length equal to or greater than 5 1/2 inches identified as recreational
commercial fishing equipment when only one Recreational Commercial Gear License
holder is on board. It is unlawful to possess aboard a vessel more than 200
yards of gill nets with a mesh length less than 5 1/2 inches and more than 200
yards of gill nets with a mesh length equal to or greater than 5 1/2 inches
identified as recreational commercial fishing equipment when two or more
Recreational Commercial Gear License holders are on board;
(6) A hand-operated device generating
pulsating electrical current for the taking of catfish in the area described in
15A NCAC
03J .0304;
(7) Skimmer trawls not exceeding 26 feet in
total combined width.
(8) One pound
net used to take shrimp with each lead 10 feet or less in length and with a
minimum lead net mesh of 1 1/2 inches, and enclosures constructed of net mesh
of 1 1/4 inches or greater and with all dimensions being 36 inches or less.
Attendance is required at all times and all gear must be removed from the water
when not being fished. Gear is to be marked and set as specified in
15A NCAC
03J .0501.
(b) It is unlawful to use more than the
quantity of authorized gear specified in Subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(8) of
this Rule, regardless of the number of individuals aboard a vessel possessing a
valid Recreational Commercial Gear License.
(c) It is unlawful for a person to violate
the restrictions of or use gear other than that authorized by Paragraph (a) of
this Rule.
(d) Unless otherwise
provided, this Rule does not exempt Recreational Commercial Gear License
holders from the provisions of other applicable rules of the Marine Fisheries
Commission or provisions of proclamations issued by the Fisheries Director as
authorized by the Marine Fisheries Commission.
Authority
G.S.
113-134;
113-173;
Temporary
Adoption Eff. August 9, 1994, for a period of 180 days or until the permanent
rule becomes effective, whichever is sooner;
Eff. February 1,
1995;
Temporary Amendment Eff. August 1, 1999; July 1,
1999;
Amended Eff. August 1, 2000;
Temporary Amendment
Eff. August 1, 2000;
Amended Eff. April 1, 2009; July 1, 2006;
November 1, 2005; August 1, 2002.
