The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on
proposed amendments to regulations, as shown below. By June 8, 2020 the proposed
draft regulations may be viewed on the VMRC web calendar at
https://mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm.
In accordance with Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a special
public hearing by electronic communication means on the proposed amendments to
these regulations will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 9:30 AM. In
consideration of Governor Northam�s Executive Order 65 and public safety, the
public may only participate in this meeting via video/audio conference. The
public will not be allowed to attend the meeting in person in accordance with
Executive Order 65 prohibiting gatherings of 50 or more individuals. All persons
interested in commenting are highly encouraged to submit written comments prior
to the meeting. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission may meet by electronic
communication means without a quorum of the public body or any member of the
governing board physically assembled at one location as the Governor has
declared a state of emergency in accordance with � 44-146.17.
Public
comments on the proposal should be provided to Patrick Geer, VMRC Fisheries
Management Division, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia 23651, by
12:00 p.m., Thursday, June 18, 2020. Those requesting to provide public comment
on items not on the agenda, or provide written comment on any of the public
hearings must send an email to fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov
with the subject heading �Commission Comments� by 12 p.m. on June 22, 2020.
Further instructions for electronic meeting participation, public call-in
information, and the meeting web link will also be provided at
https://mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm in
advance of the electronic meeting.
The Commission may review Fisheries
Management Division items as early as 9:30 a.m.
I. Chapter 4
VAC 20-270-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Blue Crab Fishery�
The
Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-270-10 et seq., �Pertaining to
Blue Crab Fishery� to establish management measures, including season and bushel
limits, for the 2020-2021 commercial crab fishery.
The purpose of these
amendments is to conserve the blue crab resource, while accounting for annual
variations in its abundance.
Draft Regulation 4 VAC 20-270-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Blue Crab Fishery�
II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1140-10 et seq., �Prohibition of Crab
Dredging in Virginia Waters�
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4
VAC 20-1140-10 et seq., �Prohibition of Crab Dredging in Virginia Waters� to
close the December 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 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 blue crab population.
Draft Regulation4 VAC 20-1140-10 et
seq., �Prohibition of Crab Dredging in Virginia Waters�
III. Chapter 4 VAC 20-450-10 et seq., �Pertaining to the Taking of Bluefish�
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-450-10 et seq.,
�Pertaining to the Taking of Bluefish� to establish the commercial bluefish
annual quota for 2020.
The purpose of this amendment is to comply with the Interstate Fishery
Management Plan for this species.
Draft Regulation 4 VAC
20-450-10 et seq., �Pertaining to the Taking of Bluefish�
IV. Chapter 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Sharks"
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq.,
"Pertaining to Sharks" to establish the commercial spiny dogfish annual
quota for 2020 and to require the use of non‐offset, non‐stainless steel
circle hooks when fishing for sharks recreationally, except when fishing
with flies or artificial lures.
The purpose of this amendment
is to comply with the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for these species.
Draft Regulation 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Sharks"
V. Chapter 4 VAC 20-910-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Scup
(Porgy)�
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC
20-910-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Scup (Porgy)� to establish the commercial
scup Summer period fishery quota for 2020 and to modify language for the
commercial scup Winter II period per trip landing limits.
The
purpose of this amendment is to comply with the Interstate Fishery
Management Plan for this species.
Draft Regulation 4 VAC 20-910-10
et seq., �Pertaining to Scup (Porgy)�
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.
