The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed
amendments to regulations, as shown below. By June 10, 2019, the proposed draft
regulations may be viewed at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 380
Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia.
In accordance with
Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposed
amendments to these regulations will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at the
Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe,
Virginia. Public comments on the proposals should be provided to Robert L.
O�Reilly, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort
Monroe, Virginia 23651, by 12:00 p.m., Monday, June 24, 2019.
The Commission may review Fisheries Management Division items as early as 9:30
a.m.
Amendments to the following regulations are proposed
for the blue crab fishery:
A. Chapter 4 VAC 20-270-10 et seq.,
�Pertaining to Crabbing�
1) The Commission proposes to establish
management measures for the commercial crab fishery season; 2) The Commission
proposes to modify time periods when crab pots and other lawful gear used to
harvest crabs shall be removed from state waters during that next season; and,
3) The Commission proposes to increase the November bushel limits for the
commercial crab pot fishery to be commensurate with other months of the season
except March. The purpose of these amendments is to conserve the blue crab
resource, while taking into account variations in abundance of this resource.
B. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1140-10 et seq., �Prohibition of Crab Dredging
in Virginia Waters�
The Commission proposes to close the
December 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020 winter commercial crab dredge fishing
season, in accordance with the provisions of Section 28.2-707 of the Code of
Virginia. The purpose of this closure is to conserve spawning potential of the
crab population.
C. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1040-10 et seq., �Pertaining
to Crabbing Licenses�
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC
20-1040-10 et seq., to modify the current license-transferability provisions,
whereby an eligibility for a license or a current license may be transferred,
rather than only a license, from one individual to another. The purpose of the
amendment is to reduce a regulatory burden.
D. Chapter 4 VAC
20-670-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Recreational Gear Licenses�
1)
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-670-10 et seq., to correctly
reference that an exemption from the daily time limits for those individuals
licensed for a 5-crab pot recreational gear is contained in 4 VAC 20-270-30,
rather than this chapter; and, 2) The Commission proposes to rescind the vague
reference in Section 30 that exempts crab pots licensed for recreational
purposes from gear restrictions within the area established in Section 28.2-709
of the Code of Virginia. The sole purpose of these amendments is to rectify
inaccuracies in this chapter.
VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE
AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE ELLEN BOLEN,
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (757-247-2269) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE
MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.