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North Carolina Marine Fisheries Proclamation SF-1-2023 closes Pamlico Sound bays to the commercial harvest of oysters by mechanical methods from public bottom.

The proclamation became effective at sunrise on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.

Harvest days are now Monday through Friday from sunrise to 2 p.m. Oyster dredges must be out of the water and stowed on deck after 2 p.m. each weekday

Those with standard commercial fishing licenses with shellfish endorsement can posses no more than 15 bushels. Minimum size is three inch shell length

It is unlawful for persons holding a standard commercial fishing license with a shellfish endorsement to take or possess more than fifteen (15) bushels of oysters per fishing operation per day, regardless of the number of persons, license holders or vessels involved

As of Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, it is unlawful to harvest oysters by mechanical methods in the following areas: Wysocking Bay, East Bluff Bay, West Bluff Bay, Juniper Bay-Cunning Harbor, Swanquarter Bay, Deep Cove-The Narrows, Rose Bay, Spencer Bay, Slade Creek, Goose Creek, Jones Bay, Bay River, Adams Creek, South River and West Bay.

It is unlawful for harvesters to fail to deliver oysters and clams harvested from coastal fishing waters to a licensed shellfish dealer within 12 hours of the time of the start of harvest.

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