The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to regulations, as shown below. By June 13, 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, June 28, 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, June 22, 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 20-1270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden"
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden", to establish a temporary reciprocal quota transfer system between the purse seine menhaden reduction sector and the purse seine menhaden bait sector of the fishery during the 2022 fishing year.
The purpose of these amendments is to establish the temporary reciprocal transfer system to protect the purse seine menhaden bait sector of theindustry in 2022.
II. 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 2022-2023 commercial crab fishery and define legal commercial harvest gears.
The purpose of these amendments is to conserve the blue crab resource, while accounting for annual variations in its abundance.
III. 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, 2022 through March 31, 2023 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.
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.
