The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to regulations, as shown below. By January 10, 2022, 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, January 25, 2022, 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, January 19, 2022 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 20-1180-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Fishing Guides� and Chapter 4 VAC 20-1150-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Charter Boat and Head Boat Fisheries�
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1180-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Fishing Guides�, to 1) define existent freshwater/saltwater delineation lines, 2) clarify language for license qualification requirements, and 3) establish penalties. The Commission also proposes to repeal Chapter 4 VAC 20-1150-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Charter Boat and Head Boat Fisheries�.
The purpose of these amendments is to define the extent of charter license lines between freshwater and saltwater jurisdictions, provide clarification on how to obtain required for hire licenses, establish penalties for compliance failure, and repeal the outdated regulation 4 VAC 20-1150-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Charter Boat and Head Boat Fisheries� as it has been replaced by language in Chapter 4 VAC 20-1180-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Fishing Guides�.
II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Black Sea Bass�The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Black Sea Bass� to close the February recreational black sea bass season.
The purpose of these amendments is to comply with the federal and interstate management plan for this species. The recreational management measures for black sea bass must be adjusted to decrease the coastwide recreational harvest levels by 28% and Virginia cannot open the special February recreational season in federal waters without final management measures in place for 2022.
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.
