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 proposed
amendments will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, July 27, 2004, 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, July 26,
2004. Copies of the proposed amendments 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.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS:
I. Regulation 4 VAC 20-320-10 et seq., "Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum."
The proposed amendments would 1) allow any registered commercial fisherman to catch and keep
one black drum per day, and such harvest would count against the 120,000 pound quota that is
currently limited to permitted registered commercial fishermen, and 2) eliminate the requirement that
permitted commercial harvesters and buyers of black drum shall submit black drum harvest
information to the Commission on a weekly basis.
II. Regulation 4 VAC 20-270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Crabbing."
The Commission proposes to allow documented medical hardship exceptions to the lawful daily time
period established for the commercial harvesting of crabs by crab pot or peeler pot. The current daily
time period extends from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the months of April, September, October and
November and from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the months of May, June, July and August.
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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 LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR
TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.