THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 

                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 30, 1994                    TAG: 9406300574 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: B4    EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA  
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: 940630                                 LENGTH: MOREHEAD CITY

FISHERIES OFFICE HOURS EXTENDED TODAY TO SELL COMMERCIAL LICENSES

{LEAD} Office hours are being extended today at the Division of Marine Fisheries for fishermen who want to buy a commercial license before a moratorium goes into effect Friday.

The division's headquarters in Morehead City will be open until 6 p.m. to handle license applications.

{REST} Licenses can also be bought from a licensed fisheries agent in more than 40 locations along the coast.

Last Thursday the Senate and the House approved separate versions of a bill authorizing the moratorium, which begins Friday for two years. Differences between the two measurers were ironed out and the bill became law late last week.

The legislation also:

Includes an appeal process for fishermen whose licenses have been rejected.

Authorizes a two-year study about the numbers, health and condition of fish and shellfish in North Carolina. The study will be conducted by the N.C. Sea Grant Program at the University of North Carolina.

Includes provisions for a new license for fishermen who ply coastal waters for crabs.

The license will cost $7.50 for residents and $100 for nonresidents for individual licenses and $22.50 for vessel crab licenses. The owner of a vessel and up to two crew members will be covered by the vessel crab license.

All fishermen who intend to fish commercially in the next two years must have bought: a 1993-94 vessel license decal; a 1993-94 oyster, scallop and clam license; or a 1994 shellfish and crab license. All fishermen who plan to sell fish without the use of a vessel must buy a 1993-94 non-vessel endorsement to sell before the moratorium takes effect.

For more information, contact the division at 1-800-682-2632.

by CNB