The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC
20-620-10 ET SEQ., "Pertaining to Summer Flounder".
The purpose of the amendments is to increase the economic return to
commercial harvesters and processors of Summer Flounder, while allowing
Virginia to maintain compliance with the interstate management plan for Summer
Flounder.
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, October 24,
2000, 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.
THE AMENDMENTS:
4 VAC 20-620-30. COMMERCIAL HARVEST QUOTAS:
1) Maintain the current opening of the 2000 Fourth Quarter directed
Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery of November 1 or delay the starting date in
2000.
2) Transfer the 2000 Fourth Quarter directed Offshore Summer Flounder
Fishery quota to the First Quarter period of 2000 (January 4 through March
31). This is a temporary modification
for 2000 only. Vessels shall still be
allowed to possess Summer Flounder up to 10% by weight of all other landed
species on board the vessel (bycatch fishery) in the Fourth Quarter.
4 VAC 20-620-40. COMMERCIAL
VESSEL POSSESSION LIMITATIONS:
1) Either maintain the current 5,000 pound possession limit for Summer
Flounder or increase the possession limit up to 10,000 pounds.
2) Establish consecutive 10-day landing periods, with maximum vessel
landing or possession limits not to exceed 10,000 pounds of Summer Flounder
during any one 10-day period.
VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF A REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATION 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 NEED.
