CLOSURE OF VIRGINIA'S SECOND QUARTER
DIRECTED OFFSHORE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY
TO: SUMMER FLOUNDER INDUSTRY
FROM: VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION, JACK TRAVELSTEAD, CHIEF OF FISHERIES
RE: CLOSURE OF VIRGINIA'S SECOND QUARTER DIRECTED OFFSHORE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY—REVISED NOTICE
Based upon your industry input, we understand several vessels were
surprised by yesterday evening’s notice that the summer flounder
fishery has reached 85 percent of the second quarter. Several
vessels are still in the ocean and motoring to Virginia at this
time. To accommodate those vessels, Virginia will allow vessels
to land up to 5,000 pounds of summer flounder, until 10 PM, today,
April 2, 2007.
After 10:00 PM April 2, 2007 vessels will be limited to 10 percent, by
weight, of all other species landed and sold from the vessel, except
for safe harbor.
All summer flounder landed in Virginia in the second quarter in excess
of the quota (116,084 pounds) will be deducted from the fourth quarter
quota (531,449 pounds).
Vessels seeking safe harbor shall contact the Marine Resources
Commission Operations Center in advance of entry into Virginia
waters. Any vessel declaring a need for safe harbor may be
subject to inspection by the United States Coast Guard Marine Safety
Office.
If you have questions or comments contact Lewis Gillingham at (757) 247 2243.
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