FROM:
VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION
RE:
CLOSURE OF 2001 COMMERCIAL STRIPED BASS
FISHERY
Effective
0001 hours, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Thursday, December 13, 2001, further
landing or possession of striped bass caught for commercial purposes shall be
prohibited. The commercial striped
bass quota for the 2001 season has been attained, based upon review of landing
reports from the VMRC Mandatory Reporting Program and seafood buyers' places of
business. It has been determined
the 2001 striped bass commercial quota of 1,701,748 pounds available to Virginia
has been harvested.
Section 4 VAC
20-252-150 "COMMERCIAL HARVEST QUOTA" of Virginia Regulation 4 VAC
20-252-10 ET SEQ. "PERTAINING TO THE TAKING OF STRIPED BASS" states:
A. "The commercial harvest quota shall be determined annually by the
Marine Resources Commission. The
total allowable level of all commercial harvest of striped bass for all open
seasons and for all legal gear shall be 1,701,748 pounds of whole fish.
At such time as the total commercial harvest of striped bass is projected
to reach 1,701,748 pounds, and announced as such, it shall be unlawful for any
person to land or possess striped bass caught for commercial purposes.
Therefore, after
0001 hours, EDT, Thursday, December 13, 2001, landing or possession of striped
bass harvested from Virginia tidal waters for commercial purposes, in Virginia
shall be prohibited until the February 1, 2002 opening of the 2002 striped bass
season.
Any 2001 tags
issued and not used shall be returned to the Commission by the permittee.
No vessel
harvesting from Virginia tidal waters may possess any striped bass for
commercial purposes, at or after 0001 hours, EDT, Thursday, December 13, 2001.
If you have questions or comments contact Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247.