The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to regulations, as shown below. By July 12, 2021, 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 public hearing on the proposed amendments to these regulations will be held on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Written public comments on the Fisheries Management Division proposals or on fisheries items not on the agenda must be provided by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, 2021 to Patrick Geer, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia 23651, or sent by email to fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov with the subject heading �Commission Comments�.
The Commission may review Fisheries Management Division items as early as 9:30 a.m.
I. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1390-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Shrimp�, Chapter 4 VAC 20-1090-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Licensing Requirements and License Fees� and Chapter 4 VAC 20-420-10 et seq., �Pertaining to the Use of Trawls in the Territorial Sea�
The Commission proposes the following: 1) establish Chapter 4 VAC 20-1390-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Shrimp� to create a new commercial shrimp fishery, trawl license and lottery, gear and season restrictions, and commercial and recreational shrimp possession limits; 2) amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1090 et seq., �Pertaining to Licensing Requirements and License Fees� to establish a shrimp trawl license fee; and 3) repeal Chapter 4 VAC 20-420-10 et seq., �Pertaining to the Use of Trawls in the Territorial Sea�.
The purpose of these regulations are to: 1) establish a limited entry shrimp trawl gear license and associated lottery, gear restrictions, seasons, possession limits and reporting requirements for the commercial and recreational shrimp fishery to sustainably manage an increasing abundance of shrimp observed in the bay and coastal waters; 2) amend the chapter to include a shrimp trawl license fee; and 3) repeal the chapter since the use of trawls or similar devices is prohibited in all the waters under Virginia's jurisdiction by �28.2-314 of the Code of Virginia; with an exception in �28.2-315 of the Code of Virginia that grants the Marine Resources Commission authority to permit trawling and control the area, manner, method, size and season of catch during certain times in certain areas of Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea out to three nautical miles.
II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-280-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Speckled Trout� and Chapter 4 VAC 20-1400-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Red Drum�
The Commission proposes to 1) amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-280-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Speckled Trout� to establish a daily commercial incidental catch limit when the directed commercial landings quota is met and to clarify existing language and 2) establish Chapter 4 VAC 20-1400-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Red Drum�.
The purpose is to 1) promote conservation through effective and responsible resource utilization by reducing dead discards in the commercial speckled trout fishery and 2) increase clarity and efficiency of regulations pertaining to red drum and speckled trout by separating them from the same regulation and establishing regulations specific to each species.
VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE MICHELE GUILFORD (757-247-2206) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.
