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North Carolina Marine Fisheries Proclamation M-2-2020 opened Management Unit C to the use of gill nets with stretched mesh length of four inches through 6.5 inches.

The proclamation was effective 12:01 a.m., Feb. 15.

As described in the proclamation, Management Unit C includes “Pamlico, Pungo, Bay and Neuse river drainages and Internal Coastal Waters of Pamlico Sound west of 76° 30.0000’ W.”

Under gear exemptions, the proclamation states: “It is unlawful to use run-around, strike, drift, drop and trammel gill nets with a stretched mesh length greater than 6 ½ inches.

“It is unlawful to use or possess more than 800 yards of run-around, strike, drop and trammel gill net per commercial fishing operation.

“It is unlawful to use or possess more than 1,500 yards of drift gill net per commercial fishing operation.”

The proclamation states: “The intent of this proclamation is to implement gill net restrictions in accordance with Amendment 2 to the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan and allow directed and bycatch fisheries for various species while minimizing interactions with threatened and/or endangered species.”

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