The Virginia Marine Resources Commission at its meeting on December 18, 2001 approved the following Emergency Chapter pursuant to its authority in Sections 28.2-507 and 28.2-210 of the Code of Virginia. The Emergency Chapter reads as follows:
VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION
“PERTAINING TO RESTRICTIONS ON OYSTER HARVEST”
EMERGENCY CHAPTER 4VAC 20-720-46 ET. SEQ.
PREAMBLE
This emergency chapter is promulgated pursuant to §§ 28.2-210 and 28.2-507 of the Code of Virginia and extends the public harvest season for the taking of oysters from the public grounds in the Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound areas as described in Chapter 4VAC 20-720-10, Et. Seq., Pertaining to Oyster Harvest Restrictions” and opens certain public oyster rocks in the Rappahannock River to the taking of oysters by hand scrape. This extension of the season in the Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds and opening of additional public rocks in the Rappahannock River for harvesting oysters by hand scrape are established in an effort to allow the watermen to continue harvesting clean cull size oysters to meet the demands of the market. The effective date of this emergency chapter is January 1, 2002. This emergency chapter shall terminate on January 31, 2002.
4VAC 20-720-46 SPECIAL PUBLIC OYSTER HARVEST SEASONS:
A. The public oyster harvest season for the Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds is extended through January 30, 2002.
B. The following public oyster rocks in the Rappahannock River are open to the harvest of oysters by hand scrape:
Temples Bay
Hogge House
Tin Cup
Towles Point
Corrotoman River
Long Rock
The season for the harvest of oysters from these areas is January 1, 2002 through January 14, 2002.
C. All other applicable laws and regulations for harvesting oysters from public oyster grounds shall apply during these special harvest seasons.
For further information please contact Dr. James Wesson, Conservation and Replenishment Dept., 757-247-2121.
