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North Carolina Marine Fisheries Proclamation SF-2-2022 opens the season to the commercial and recreational harvest of bay scallops from public bottom in Core Sound only from 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2022 through 4 p.m. on March 31, 2022.

The remainder of the state’s internal coastal waters will remain closed to commercial and recreational harvest of bay scallops.

Scalloping in Core Sound is limited Monday and Wednesday of each week, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. No dredge is allowed; cannot mix commercial and recreational harvest or transfer to another vessel.

Commercial Fishing License holders with a shellfish endorsement are limited to five standard bushels per day and 10 bushels “per vessel per in any combined commercial fishing operation from public bottom, regardless of the number of commercial license holders onboard the vessel.”

Unlicensed persons taking scallops for personal consumption can possess no more than one-half bushel of scallops per person per day “not to exceed one (1) bushel per vessel per day from public bottom for recreational purposes seven days a week.”

“The intent of this proclamation is to open the season to the harvest of bay scallops taken by hand, with hand rakes, hand tongs, dip nets and scoops from public bottom, and reflects harvest limits by license type in accordance with the provisions in Amendment 2 of the Bay Scallop Fishery Management Plan,” states the proclamation.

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