15A NCAC 03L .0203. CRAB DREDGING

(a)  It is unlawful to take crabs with dredges except:

(1)           from January 1 through March 1 in the area of Pamlico Sound described in 15A NCAC 03R .0109; and

(2)           incidental to lawful oyster dredging operations in areas not subject to the exception in Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule provided the weight of the crabs shall not exceed:

(A)          50 percent of the total weight of the combined oyster and crab catch; or

(B)          500 pounds, whichever is less.

The Fisheries Director may, by proclamation authority established in 15A NCAC 03L .0201, further restrict the use of dredges to take blue crabs.

(b)  It is unlawful to take crabs with dredges between sunset and sunrise and between sunset on any Saturday and sunrise on the following Monday, except in the Atlantic Ocean.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52;

Eff. January 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2014; May 1, 1997.