The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-670-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Recreational Gear Licenses." The Commission proposes to modify the gear marking requirements for commercial gear set or fished for recreational purposes.
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, December 19, 2000, 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, P. O. Box 756, Newport News, Virginia 23607. 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.
Currently, the regulation requires that any person licensed to set or fish commercial gear for recreational purposes shall display a license tag, where applicable, and mark the end flags, poles or buoys of their gear with the letter "R."
The proposed amendments eliminate the requirement to display a license tag and establish the following new gear marking requirements:
A. Buoys of any crab pot, gill net or ordinary crab trotline, used for recreational purposes, shall be marked with the licensee's last 4 numbers of his or her social security number or driver's license number, preceded by the letter "R."
B. An offshore stake of any crab trap, used for recreational purposes, shall be marked with the licensee's last 4 numbers of his or her social security number or driver's license number, preceded by the letter "R."
C. In accordance with subsections A and B above, licensees shall mark their gear in a legible and visible manner and in figures of not less than 1 inch in height.
The purpose of the proposed regulation is economic efficiency.
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VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION 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 NEED.
