THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 4, 1994 TAG: 9412010202
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
The striped bass hook-and-line season has opened in the Albemarle Sound Recreational Harvest Management Area and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has put the following regulations in effect:
The Albemarle Sound Recreational Harvest Management Area includes the Albemarle, Currituck, Croatan and Roanoke Sounds and their inland and joint water tributaries, except for the Roanoke, Eastmost, Middle and Cashie Rivers.
Striped bass may be taken by hook-and-line only on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Fishermen may take up to three striped bass per person per day at a minimum length of 18 inches. Undersized striped bass should be returned to the water where taken regardless of the condition of the fish.
It is illegal to sell or purchase striped bass taken by hook-and-line.
The hook-and-line season on striped bass will close Dec. 21, unless the harvest quota is reached earlier.
For commercial fishermen, the rules in effect are:
Fishermen using commercial gear may keep a by-catch of up to five striped bass per day at a minimum length of 18 inches. Undersized striped bass should be returned to the water where taken regardless of the condition of the fish.
Gill nets must be removed from the water on the weekends, from 4 p.m. on Fridays until sunrise on Mondays. Gill nets may not be used in the Roanoke, Middle, Eastmost and Cashie Rivers.
All dealers must obtain a valid 1995 Albemarle Sound Management Area Dealer's Striped Bass Permit.
Dealers also are required to place a Albemarle Sound Management Area sales tag through the mouth and gill cover on any striped bass they pack for transport, sell or offer for sale.
The commercial season closes Dec. 23 unless the harvest quota is reached earlier.
The hook-and-line season for striped bass in the Atlantic Ocean that opened Thursday will close March 31, 1995. The following regulations are in effect for the Ocean season:
Recreational fishermen will be allowed to keep one striped bass at a minimum length of 28 inches.
The following rules govern commercial fishermen during the ocean season:
Commercial fishermen will be allowed to keep striped bass 28 inches or larger.
A daily landing limit of 2,000 pounds per fishing operation is in effect to ensure that the taking of striped bass remains a by-catch, incidental to other fisheries.
The commercial season on striped bass is scheduled to close March 31, unless the 96,000 pound harvest quota is reached earlier.
For more information, contact Harrel B. Johnson at (919) 264-3911 or (800) 338-7805. by CNB