The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the proposed regulations listed below.
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, March 24, 2009, at the Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Written comments on the proposals should be mailed to Jack Travelstead, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, Virginia 23607, by 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 23, 2009. Copies of the proposed regulations may be reviewed, at the Commission, Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and may be obtained by calling the Commission at (757) 247-2248.
1). Chapter 4VAC20-950-et seq. "Pertaining to Black Sea Bass". The Commission invites public comment on amendments that will raise the recreational black sea bass minimum size limit from 12 inches to 12 ½ inches. The amendment is necessary to comply with requirements of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
2). Chapter 4VAC20-1200-et seq. "Pertaining to Special Oyster Relaying Season in the Rappahannock
River". The Commission invites public comment on an industry-supported proposal to establish an April 2009 season, for the taking of oysters from polluted areas in the Rappahannock River. The proposed harvest locations are Russ' Rock and Little Carters Rock. Oysters harvested from these areas must be relayed to depuration sites, in accordance with state law.
3). Chapter 4VAC20-270-et seq. "Pertaining to Crabbing". The Commission proposes to reinstate the usual dates, March 17 through November 30, of the crab pot and peeler pot season for the harvest of female crabs. Last season there was an early closure to the season on harvesting female crabs.
4). Chapter 4VAC20-530-et seq. "Pertaining to American Shad". The Commission proposes to amend this regulation, to allow the limited by-catch of American shad, in areas above the first bridge in the James, York and Rappahannock rivers, excluding spawning areas, in 2009. This action is necessary, as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission reviews Virginia's request for an American shad by-catch proposal, on an annual basis.
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VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE BETTY WARREN (757-247-2248) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.
