15A NCAC 03M .0507     BILLFISH

(a)  It shall be unlawful to take blue marlin, white marlin, roundscale spearfish, or sailfish, except by hook and line or for recreational purposes.

(b)  For blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish, it shall be unlawful to do any of the following:

(1)           possess blue marlin less than 99 inches in length from the lower jaw to the fork in the tail;

(2)           possess white marlin or roundscale spearfish less than 66 inches in length from the lower jaw to the fork in the tail;

(3)           possess more than one blue marlin, white marlin, or roundscale spearfish in the aggregate per vessel per trip; and

(4)           sell or offer for sale blue marlin, white marlin, or roundscale spearfish.

(c)  For sailfish, it shall be unlawful to do any of the following:

(1)           possess sailfish less than 63 inches in length from the lower jaw to the fork in the tail;

(2)           possess more than one sailfish per person per day; and

(3)           sell or offer for sale sailfish.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-182; 143B-289.52;

Eff. January 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. March 1, 1996; March 1, 1994; February 1, 1992; September 1, 1991;

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 7, 1998; September 1, 1996;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2000;

Readopted Eff. April 1, 2019.