The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the
establishment of amendments to the regulations, as proposed below. By November
28, 2016, the proposed draft regulations may be viewed at the Virginia Marine
Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia.
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 no earlier than 12:00
noon, on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at the Virginia Marine Resources
Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Public comments on
the proposals should be provided to Robert L. O�Reilly, VMRC Fisheries
Management Division, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, Virginia
23607, by 12:00 p.m., Monday, December 12, 2016.
I. Chapter
4 VAC 20-252-10 et seq., �Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass,� Chapter 4
VAC 20-510-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia,� and Chapter 4 VAC
20-1120-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Tilefish and Groupers�
The
Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-252-10 et seq., �Pertaining to the
Taking of Striped Bass,� Chapter 4 VAC 20-510-10 et seq., �Pertaining to
Amberjack and Cobia,� and Chapter 4 VAC 20-1120-10 et seq., �Pertaining to
Tilefish and Groupers,� to streamline and standardize mandatory reporting
requirements for recreational fisheries. For spring trophy striped bass, the
Commission proposes to institute a vessel-level permit in addition to the
individual permit, as well as reduce the number of required pieces of
information for mandatory catch reports. For tilefish-grouper, the Commission
proposes to reduce the number of required pieces of information for mandatory
catch reports. For cobia, the Commission proposes to institute a recreational
private vessel permit, a charter vessel permit, and an individual, personal
permit as well as set forth mandatory reporting requirements.
The purpose
of this amendment is to promote efficiency in the utilization of these fishery
resources.
II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1090-10 et seq., "Pertaining
to Licensing Requirements and License Fees"
The Commission
proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1090-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Licensing
Requirements and License Fees" to enable agency functions to keep pace with
rising management costs. If approved by the Commission, these fee increases
would be effective December 1, 2017.
Section 28.2-201.4 of the Code of
Virginia authorizes the Commission to increase fees for tidal fisheries licenses
and permits not more frequently than every three years. The last time the
Commission raised any commercial gear or other licenses was in 2006. Any fee
increase shall be capped at $5.00 or a percentage equal to the change in the
Consumer Price Index (CPI) calculated from the time the fee was last set or
adjusted, whichever is greater.
The Commission proposes to increase the
fees on 89 commercial licenses and permits. Of those being considered,
thirty-seven will be capped at a $5.00 increase and the remaining fifty-two will
be raised by the change in the consumer price index. The complete listing of
commercial gear and other licenses and permits proposed for a fee increase are
provided on the Commission website at:
http://mrc.virginia.gov/Notices/2016/PN_12-2016.shtm [Click
Here for Proposed
Fee Increase Listing]
VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE JANE MCCROSKEY (757-247-2215) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.