The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to regulations, as shown below. By January 8, 2024, the proposed draft regulations may be viewed on the VMRC web calendar at https://mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm.
In accordance with Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposed amendments to these regulations will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Written public comments on the Fisheries Management Division proposals or on fisheries items not on the agenda must be provided by 12:00 p.m., Monday, January 22, 2024, to Patrick Geer, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia 23651, or sent by email to fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov with the subject heading "Commission Comments".
I. Chapter 4VAC20-1120-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper”
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1120-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper” to change the recreational blueline tilefish season to coincide with the beginning of the recreational black sea bass season.
The purpose of these amendments is to decrease the discard mortality of legal black seabass caught while targeting blueline tilefish.
II. Chapter 4VAC20-960-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Tautog”
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4VAC20-960-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Tautog” to remove all fees associated with unreturned commercial tautog tags or tags returned after the yearly February 15th deadline.
The purpose of these amendments is to reduce the regulatory and financial burden on commercial tautog harvesters while remaining in compliance and reducing illegal commercial tautog sales.
III. Chapter 4VAC20-950-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Black Sea Bass”
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Black Sea Bass” to amend the 2024 recreational black sea bass season, including a February opening.
The purpose of these amendments is to open a special February black sea bass season in 2024 and to adjust the regular recreational black sea bass season which was adjusted in 2023 to account for the 2023 February season.
VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE MICHELE GUILFORD (757-247-2206) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORKDAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.
