The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the establishment of amendments to regulations, as proposed below. By June 8, 2015, the proposed draft regulations can be viewed at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia.
In accordance with Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposed regulations will be held at 12:00 noon, on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Public comments on the proposals should be provided to Robert L. O’Reilly, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, Virginia 23607, by 12:00 p.m., Monday, June 22, 2015.
I. Chapters 4 VAC 20-70-10 et seq., “Pertaining to the Harvesting of Clams” and 4 VAC 20-1090-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Licensing Requirements and License Fees”
The Commission proposes to amend Chapters 4 VAC 20-70-10 et seq., “Pertaining to the Harvesting of Clams,” and 4 VAC 20-1090-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Licensing Requirements and License Fees,” to establish a gear license, with a cost of $24, and limitations for use of hand-held water vacuums, or water rakes, for the harvesting of cultured hard clams on leased ground.
The purpose of these amendments is to minimize regulatory burdens.
II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-560-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Shellfish Management Areas”
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-560-10 et seq., to amend the lawful season of harvest of clams by patent tong from the Newport News Shellfish Management Area. The proposed amendment would establish May 1 through September 30 as the lawful season for the harvest of clams by patent tong from the Newport News Shellfish Management Area. The current lawful season is December 1 through April 30.
The purpose of this amendment is to promote efficiency in the utilization of this resource.
III. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden”
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq. to increase Virginia’s total allowable landings of menhaden from 318,067,167 pounds to 349,873,884 pounds. The proposed increase is in accordance with recent actions of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to increase the coast wide menhaden total allowable landings. The Commission also proposes to modify the requirements for sector quota deductions when an overage to Virginia’s total allowable landings occurs.
The purpose of this amendment is to comply with interstate fishery management plan for Atlantic menhaden.
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VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE LINDA HANCOCK (757-247-8052) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.
