NOTICE
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-20-35, "No-Fishing Zone," described below. The purpose of the amendments is to establish further safety measures for those persons fishing near pound nets.
In accordance with §28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the adoption of the proposed amendment will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, February 23, 1999 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.
Proposed Amendments to 4 VAC 20-20-35:
A. The prohibited fishing zone around any pound net shall consist of that area bounded by two straight lines, 100 feet from the left and right sides of the centerline of the head of the net, which extend parallel with the longest axis of the net from the channelward end of the head of the net to the shoreward end of the leader of the net.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing from a boat or vessel to anchor, drift, troll, or otherwise to fish within, or to cast into the prohibited fishing zone of any pound net which is marked according to the provisions of paragraph C., below. Further, it shall be unlawful for any person to take or harvest crabs from any part of a pound net which is marked according to the provisions of paragraph C., below, unless such person has the written permission of the owner of the pound net.
C. If the owner of a pound net intends that the prohibited fishing zone be enforced around his pound net, that owner shall mark the zone with four buoys placed approximately at the corners of the prohibited fishing zone such that a buoy is placed 100 feet from both the left and right sides of the centerline of the head of the net and extends no further than the channelward edge of the head of the net and a buoy is placed at both opposite corners extending no further than the shoreward end of the leader of the net. Each buoy shall consist of an upright anchored flagstaff bearing a blaze-orange flag, 12 inches high and 12 inches wide, and a mast of sufficient size to maintain the bottom of the flag at least three feet above the surface of the water.
D. It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with any buoy marking the prohibited fishing zone of any pound net.
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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 LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.
