Publice Notice: Pertaining to Channeled Whelk and Various Regs 2001


The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to the regulations listed below.

In accordance with ?28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the adoption of the proposed amendments will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, June 26, 2001, at the Virginia 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. A copy of the proposed regulations may be reviewed at the Commission during Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the proposed regulations may call the Commission offices at (757) 247-2248.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

Regulation 4 VAC 20-890-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Channeled Whelk" 


The proposed amendment, currently part of Emergency Regulation 4 VAC 20-890-10 et seq. (effective May 25, 2001) makes it unlawful for any person to set, place, or fish a conch pot of any type in an area extending 250 yards from either span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The 250-yard distance shall be measured from the outer edges of each span and shall apply to the area which extends from the low water mark on Fishermans Island to the one-mile marker on the south end of the bridge-tunnel. 

The purpose of the amendment are to promote the general welfare of the seafood industry by avoiding gear conflicts proximate to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Regulation 4 VAC 20-610-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Commercial Fishing and Mandatory Harvest Reporting"

The proposed amendment stipulates that any person, whose commercial fisherman registration license or fishing gear license is not revoked by the Marine Resources Commission pursuant to Section 28.2-232 of the Code of Virginia, is authorized to possess the registration license of a commercial fisherman in order to serve as an agent for fishing the commercial fisherman's gear and selling the catch. 

The purpose of the above amendment is to promote the authority and intent of the Code of Virginia, as regards revocations of licenses.

4 VAC 20-380-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish)"

The proposed amendment provides that during any closed season established for gill net, pound net, haul seine or out-of-state trawl, the possession limit for grey trout shall be for the boat or vessel, as described below:

1. The boat or vessel possession limit for grey trout shall be the lesser of 450 pounds or an amount equal to the total number of registered commercial fishermen on board multiplied by 150 pounds. 

2. The possession limit for grey trout for any boat or vessel licensed by a Seafood Landing License shall be 150 pounds, except that possession limit shall be 300 pounds if a registered commercial fishermen is on board or 450 pounds if two or more registered commercial fishermen are on board a boat or vessel licensed by a Seafood Landing License. 

3. The possession of quantities of grey trout in excess of these limits, or the possession of any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length, shall be a violation of this regulation. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit.

The purpose of this amendment is to promote conservation and to clarify the by-catch requirements associated with a closed season.

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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 DEBORAH CAWTHON (757) 247-2248 NO LESS THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING TIME AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.

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