Public Notice:  Proposed Regulations, April 2019

NOTICE

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to regulations, as shown below. By April 8, 2019, the proposed draft regulations may be viewed at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, 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 on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia. Public comments on the proposals should be provided to Robert L. O�Reilly, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia 23651, by 12:00 p.m., Monday, April 22, 2019.

Beginning April 23, 2019, the Commission may review Fisheries Management Division items as early as 9:30 a.m.

I. Chapter 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Sharks�

The Commission proposes an amendment to Chapter 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Sharks," that would establish the May 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 commercial spiny dogfish landings quota as 2,215,484 pounds. The 2018 commercial spiny dogfish quota was 4,123,239 pounds.

The purpose of this amendment is to comply with the interstate management plan for this species.

II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-450-10 et seq., �Pertaining to the Taking of Bluefish�

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-450-10 et seq., �Pertaining to the Taking of Bluefish,� to establish the 2019 Virginia commercial bluefish quota as 915,857 pounds. The 2018 commercial bluefish quota was 860,518 pounds.

The purpose of this amendment is to comply with the federal and interstate management plans for this species.

III. Chapter 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Black Sea Bass"

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Black Sea Bass," to establish the 2019 recreational fishery management measures. The length of the 2019 recreational black sea bass fishing season extends from May 15 through December 31, 2019. However, that season length will be shortened to account for 10,082 pounds that were landed during February of 2019. The number of days that will be needed to account for the February recreational black sea bass landings will be no less than 21 days. The 2019 season will be managed by a minimum size limit of 12 � inches and a 15 fish possession limit.

The purpose of the amendment is to comply with the federal and interstate management plan for this species.

VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE ELLEN BOLEN, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (757-247-2269) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.

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