The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-950-10 ET SEQ., "Pertaining to Black Sea Bass". The proposed amendments are shown below, according to section of the proposed final Regulation 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq.
The purpose of the amendments is to reduce the probability of quarterly quota overages and early closure of the commercial fishery.
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, May 22, 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, P. O. Box 756, Newport News, VA 23607. A copy of the proposed regulation 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 regulation may call the Commission at (757) 247-2248.
THE AMENDMENTS:
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.
PREAMBLE
The purposes of this emergency regulation are (1) reduce fishing mortality in the black sea bass fishery to assure that overfishing does not occur, (ii) increase the spawning stock biomass, (iii) improve the yield from the fishery, and (iv)
4 VAC 20-950-45. POSSESSION LIMITS AND HARVEST QUOTAS.
B. During the period April 1 through June 30 of each year, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess aboard any vessel or to land in Virginia more than 1,500 pounds of black sea
bass,
except when. When it is
announced that 50% 40% of the coastwide quota for this period has
been taken; then, it shall be unlawful for any person to
possess aboard any
vessel or land in Virginia more than 750 pounds of black sea bass, until such
time that the coastwide quota for this period has been
reached. the
provisions of subsection E of this section shall apply.
C. During
the period July 1 through September 30 of each year, it shall be unlawful for
any person to possess aboard any vessel or to land in Virginia more than 1,000
pounds of black sea bass., except when When it is
announced that 50% 40% of the coastwide quota for this
period
has been taken; then, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess aboard
any vessel or land in Virginia more than 500 pounds of black sea bass, until
such time that the coastwide quota for this period has been reached.the
provisions of subsection E of this section shall apply.
D. During the period October 1 through December 31 of each year, it shall be unlawful for
any person to possess aboard any vessel or to land in Virginia more than 2,000 pounds
of
black sea bass, except. when When it is announced
that 50% 40% of the coastwide quota for this period has been
taken; then, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess aboard any
vessel or land in Virginia more than 1,000 pounds of black sea bass, until such
time that the coastwide quota for this period has been reached.the
provisions of subsection E of this section shall apply.
E. When it is announced that 40% of the coastwide quota for any of the periods designated in subsections B, C, and D of this section has been taken, it shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
1. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia waters more than 1,000 pounds of black sea bass.
2. Land black sea bass in Virginia, for commercial purposes, more than four times within each consecutive seven-day period, with the first seven-day period beginning upon the announcement that 40 percent of the coastwide quota for the period has been taken.
3. Land in Virginia more than a total of 1,000 pounds of black sea bass during each consecutive seven-day period, with the first seven-day period beginning upon the announcement that 40% of the coastwide quota for the period has been taken.
4. Fail to contact within 24 hours of landing, the Marine Resources Commission's Interactive Voice Recording system to report the name of the vessel and fisherman and the weight of each landing of black sea bass.
