15A NCAC 10C .0214      FISH COLLECTORS

(a)  A collection license may be issued to qualified individuals to take any species of fish from the inland fishing waters of the State, or inland game fish from the joint or coastal waters.

(b)  Individuals interested in obtaining a collection license shall apply by sending an application to 1701 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606 or by completing and submitting an application online at www.ncwildlife.org. Information required by the applicant shall include:

(1)           name, address, date of birth, email, and driver's license number;

(2)           species information;

(3)           organizational affiliation, if any; and

(4)           full documentation of research or educational proposal(s), if applicable.

(c)  The Commission shall consider the following qualifications when issuing a license:

(1)           prior research or educational experience in the same or similar field;

(2)           work with or for an educational institution;

(3)           type of study requested of license (harvest or catch and release);

(4)           current status and quantity of species requested;

(5)           collection methodology proposed; and

(6)           disposition of collection.

(d)  A collection license may be used in lieu of any other fishing license required by law and shall authorize possession and transportation of the fish incidental to the authorized taking.

(e)  A collection license may be issued:

(1)           upon payment of the license fee.

(2)           to any individual, so long as the take is not deemed harmful to the efficient conservation of the species to be collected or to other fish or wildlife resources that may be dependent thereon.

(f)  Endangered and threatened species shall not be taken or collected under a collection license except with a valid endangered species permit.

(g)  Unless a more limited duration is designated on the license, collection licenses shall be valid from January 1 through December 31 of the applicable year.

(h)  The manner of taking fish under a collection license may be specified on the license and need not be restricted to the usual methods of lawful fishing.

(i)  Licensed individuals shall submit the following information to the Commission within 15 days of license expiration. The report shall be completed online at www.ncwildlife.org and include:

(1)           the numbers of each species taken under the license;

(2)           the use or disposition thereof; and

(3)           the date and waterbody of taking.

Depending on the species taken, additional information including the sex, size, weight, age, and condition of species taken may be required.

(j)  The Executive Director or his or her designee may, pursuant to G.S. 113-272.4(d), impose further restrictions or conditions on individuals licensed under this Rule deemed to be necessary to the efficient administration of the wildlife conservation laws and Rules.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑272.4;

Eff. January 1, 1981;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2022.