SEPTEMBER 30, 1993

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION RESPONSE

TO CONCERN OF CLEANED FISH ON BEACH

DIFF Club President Dick Gray received a positive response from the Marine Fisheries Commission concerning possession of cleaned fish on the beach. Following is the letter dated July 9, 1993 Dick received from William Hogarth, Director of Marine Fisheries:

Dear Mr. Gray:

I have reviewed your request for an exception to Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3M .0101 (Mutilated Finfish) which prohibits the possession of any species of finfish which is subject to size or harvest restriction without having head and tail attached. I understand that it is difficult to comply with this rule when you are fishing in remote areas for extended periods of time. When the Marine Fisheries Commission adopted this rule they instructed the Division of Marine Fisheries to exercise discretion when enforcing the rule, especially with respect to surf fishermen.

The Division of Marine Fisheries allows individuals fishing in remote areas or from campers or tents to possess cleaned or filleted species of finfish for which there are size or harvest restrictions (creel limits) provided that the fish are packaged and stored in a cooler that is separate from coolers being used for storage of bait or freshly caught fish. In order to discourage violations, species of fish with size or creel limits may not be cleaned on the beach while actively engaged in fishing. Finfish on which there are size or creel limits may be cleaned on the beach after fishing gear is stowed or at the end of fishing for the day.

Thank you for bringing the problem of possession of cleaned fish while fishing in remote areas to my attention. If I can be of further assistance to the Davis Island Fishing Foundation, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely, William T. Hogarth

 Fisheries Director