SHARK RECREATIONAL SEASON, SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS

1. I.              SHARK RECREATIONAL SEASON, SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS: PROCLAMATION FF-10-2014(REVISED)

*Sharks that do not have an interdorsal ridge.

**Unlawful to possess these sharks while in possession of tunas, billfish or swordfish.

*For example, the cumulative total recreational catch for a vessel with three (3) fishermen is three (3) Atlantic sharpnose, and (3) bonnethead, and (1) additional shark in the recreationally permitted species list.

**For example, each shore-angler can be in possession of one (1) Atlantic sharpnose, and (1) bonnethead, and (1) additional shark from the recreationally permitted species list.

1. It is unlawful to possess silky sharks (Carcharhinusfalciformis) and sandbar (Carcharhinusplumbeus) for recreational purposes.
   

1. It is unlawful to possess great hammerhead, smooth hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead sharks less than 78 inches (fork length). It is unlawful to possess the rest of the Large Coastal Shark and Pelagic Shark species less than 54 inches long (fork length).

1. Small Coastal Sharks have no minimum size.

1. Smooth dogfish (smooth hound shark) are exempt from harvest and size restrictions.

1. Spiny dogfish are exempt from harvest and size restrictions.

1. Recreational Shore-Angler Possession Limits:It is unlawful for each angler to possess more than one (1) shark from the recreationally permitted species list per person per calendar day.  One (1) Atlantic sharpnose and one (1) bonnet head may be possessed per person per calendar day, in addition to the one (1) shark from the recreationally permitted species list.

G.   Recreational Vessel-Fishing Possession Limits:It is unlawful for each angler fishing from a vessel to possess more than one (1) Atlantic sharpnose and one (1) bonnet head per person per calendar day. It is unlawful to possess more than one (1) additional shark from the recreationally permitted species list aboard a vessel, per calendar day, regardless of the number of people on board the vessel.

H.    It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess any shark without head, tail, and fins intact with the carcass through the point of landing. Anglers may still gut and bleed the carcass as long as the tail is not removed.  Filleting sharks at sea is prohibited.

I.     It is unlawful to fail to return all sharks not meeting harvest requirements (including prohibited species) to the water in a manner that ensures the highest likelihood of survival.

J.    It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to catch sharks by any gear other than rod and reel or handlines.  Handlines are defined as a mainline with no more than two gangions or hooks attached that are retrieved by hand only

K.    It is unlawful to possess a great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark while in possession of tunas, billfish or swordfish.

III. PROHIBITED SPECIES:

It is unlawful to possess any of the following shark species in state waters:

IV. GENERAL INFORMATION:

A.    This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52; and N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103, 03J .0103, 03J .0202 and 03M .0512.

B.    It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Fisheries Commission Rule15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C.    The federal commercial seasons for sharks are based on quotas.  Quota information can be obtained by contacting the NOAA FISHERIES Highly Migratory Species Section at (301)713-2347 or (800)894-5528. The website is http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/index.htm.Although the Aggregated Large Coastal and the Small Coastal groups contain several species, the Large Coastal quota is linked to hammerheads and the Small Coastal quota is linked to the blacknose, meaning if those particular species’ quotas are met, the category will close.

D.    Spiny dogfish (Squalusacanthias) commercial seasons and harvest limits are established under the Mid-Atlantic/New England Council Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan or the ASMFC Interstate Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan. NOAA Fisherieschanged the name of smooth dogfish to smooth hound sharks to eliminate confusion that may be caused by having two dogfish species and permits in the future.

E.    The intent of this proclamation is to implement the ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Planfor Atlantic Coastal Sharks.  The ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks was adopted in 2008 to complement federal management actions to rebuild depleted stocks and protect healthy stocks from overfishing.

F.    All gill net restrictions in coastal fishing waters pertaining to the sea turtle settlement agreement measures are still in effect.Gill netsfished in Atlantic Ocean and internal waters must adhere to N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03J.0202 and 03J .0103, respectively.

G.     From January 1 through July 31, the Mid-Atlantic shark area is closed to the use of bottom longline gear by federally permitted commercial vessels.  The closed area is described as the Atlantic Ocean seaward of the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ at 35° 41’ N. lat. just south of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, and connecting by straight lines the following coordinates in the order stated: 35° 41’ N. lat., 75° 25’ W. long. proceeding due east to 35° 41’ N. lat., 74° 51’ W. long.; then proceeding southeast to 35° 30’ N. lat., 74° 46’ W. long.; then proceeding southwest, roughly following the 55 fathom mark, to 33° 51’ N. lat., 76° 24’ W. long.; then proceeding due west to intersect the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ at 33° 51’ N. lat., 77° 53’ W. long. near Cape Fear, North Carolina.

H.     Contact N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557; 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632 for more information or visit the division website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/.

I.     This proclamation supersedes ProclamationFF-10-2014, effective February 13, 2014.Smooth hound shark (smooth dogfish) recreational possession limits were removed in order to remain consistent with the ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks.