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, November 27, 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 amendments 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 at (757) 247-2248.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS:
4 VAC 20-610-10 ET SEQ. "PERTAINING TO COMMERCIAL FISHING AND MANDATORY HARVEST REPORTING"
The Commission proposes the following amendments to the regulation:
1) Require all registered commercial fishermen and all holders of Seafood Landing Licenses who harvest non-federally permitted species from federal waters or who do not sell their harvest to a federally permitted dealer to report their harvest to the Commission on a monthly basis.
2) Require all registered commercial fishermen and seafood landing license holders to report the number of hours worked daily, the number of crew members, and a vessel name and identification number (Coast Guard documentation number or Virginia Registration Number).
3) Require any waterman not fishing during any month to report no activity to the Commission by postage paid postal card or by toll free telephone line.
The purpose of the proposed amendments is to capture harvest data elements that are important to the fishery management process and to conform Virginia's data collection program to the model developed by the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program.
4 VAC 20-620-10 ET SEQ., "PERTAINING TO SUMMER FLOUNDER"
The Commission proposes to modify the restrictions on the commercial harvest of summer flounder as follows:
From November 1 through December 31 of each year, it shall be unlawful for any person harvesting Summer Flounder outside of Virginia waters to do any of the following:
1. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia waters an amount of Summer Flounder in excess of 7,500 pounds.
2. Land Summer Flounder in Virginia, for commercial purposes, more than twice within each consecutive 10-day period, with the first 10-day period beginning on November 1.
3. Land in Virginia more than a total of 7,500 pounds of Summer Flounder during each consecutive 10-day period, with the first 10-day period beginning on November 1.
The purpose of the proposed amendment is to extend the harvest of flounder over a longer period and to prevent the possibility of quota overages.
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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.
