15A NCAC 03M .0301. SPANISH AND KING MACKEREL

(a)  Spanish Mackerel:

(1)           It is unlawful to possess Spanish mackerel less than 12 inches fork length.

(2)           It is unlawful to possess more than 15 Spanish mackerel per person per day taken for recreational purposes.

(3)           It is unlawful to possess more than 15 Spanish mackerel per person per day in the Atlantic Ocean beyond three miles in a commercial fishing operation except for persons holding a valid National Marine Fisheries Service Spanish Mackerel Commercial Vessel Permit.

(b)  King mackerel:

(1)           It is unlawful to possess king mackerel less than 24 inches fork length.

(2)           It is unlawful to possess more than three king mackerel per person per day taken for recreational purposes.

(3)           It is unlawful to possess more than three king mackerel per person per day in the Atlantic Ocean:

(A)          by hook and line except for persons holding a valid National Marine Fisheries Service King Mackerel Commercial Vessel Permit; or

(B)          between three miles and 200 miles from the State's mean low water mark in a commercial fishing operation except for persons holding a valid National Marine Fisheries Service King Mackerel Commercial Vessel Permit.

(4)           It is unlawful to use gill nets in the Atlantic Ocean to take more than three king mackerel per person per day south of 34° 37.3000' N (Cape Lookout).

(c)  Charter vessels or head boats that hold a valid National Marine Fisheries Service Coastal Migratory Pelagic (Charter Boat and Head Boat) permit must comply with the Spanish mackerel and king mackerel possession limits established in Subparagraphs (a)(2) and (b)(2) of this Rule when fishing with more than three persons (including the captain and mate) on board.

(d)  It is unlawful to possess aboard or land from a vessel, or combination of vessels that form a single operation, more than 3,500 pounds of Spanish or king mackerel, in the aggregate, in any one day.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-182; 113-221; 143B-289.52;

Eff. January 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. March 1, 1996;

Temporary Amendment Eff. January 1, 2000; July 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. October 1, 2008; August 1, 2002; April 1, 2001.