15A NCAC 03J .0109. LONG‑HAUL FISHING OPERATIONS, IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

It is unlawful to tow or pull a net in a long‑haul or swipe net fishing excluding operations with nets made entirely of monofilament and having a mesh length of three inches or greater:

(1)           Without a floating buoy attached a minimum of every 100 yards along the cork line.  The buoy shall be international orange and shall be no less than five inches in diameter and no less than 11 inches in length; and

(2)           Without a flag, square in shape, international orange in color, at least 24 inches by 24 inches in size, flying in the rigging so as to be visible when approaching the vessel from any direction.

(3)           In the internal coastal waters south and west of a line beginning on the west shore of Pamlico Sound at Bluff Point at a point 35° 19.5333' N - 76° 09.3333' W; running southeasterly to Ocracoke Island to a point 35° 08.0000' N - 75° 55.0000' W, without escape panels as follows:

(a)           For long haul operations, two panels four feet deep and six feet long shall be installed with the entire panel within 10 feet of the staff on the end of the bunt net from which the fish are being bailed.  The panels shall be in the water while fish are harvested. 

(b)           For swipe net operations, two panels three feet deep and five feet long shall be installed with the entire panel within 10 feet of the staff on the end of the bunt net from which the fish are being bailed.  The panels shall be in the water while fish are harvested. 

(c)           The upper edge of one panel shall be installed within 12 to 24 inches of the float line and the lower edge of the other panel shall be installed within 12 to 24 inches of the lead line.

(d)           The panels shall be constructed of unobstructed trawl rings with an inside diameter no less than one and nine-sixteenth inches (1 9/16").  The rings shall be fastened together at a maximum of four points per ring.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑182; 143B‑289.4; 143B-289.52;

Eff. January 1991;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2004; April 1, 1999.