Public Notice:  Proposed Regulations, February 2020

NOTICE

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to regulations, as shown below. By February 10, 2020 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, February 25, 2020, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia. Public comments on the proposals should be provided to Patrick Geer, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia 23651, by 12:00 p.m., Monday, February 24, 2020.

The Commission may review Fisheries Management Division items as early as 9:30 a.m.

I. Chapter 4 VAC 20-620-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Summer Flounder"

On January 28, 2020, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission adopted, under its emergency regulatory authority (Section 28.2-210 of the Code of Virginia), amendments to Chapter 4 VAC 20-620-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Summer Flounder�, that modify the landing dates, possession limits and landing limits for summer flounder commercially harvested offshore (federal waters) and landed in Virginia.

The purpose is to promote efficiency in the utilization of the resource.

II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-995-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Commercial Hook-and-Line"

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-995-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Commercial Hook-and-Line" to modify existing language concerning time of day restrictions.

The purpose of these amendments is to conform these provisions to past actions of the Commission and improve administrative oversight.

III. Chapter 4 VAC 20-110-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Lobsters�

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-110-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Lobsters� to establish minimum size of escape vents in lobster traps to comply with Addenda II and IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster.

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

IV. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1310-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Jonah Crab"

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1310-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Jonah Crab" to establish a 2.75-inch minimum claw size for claw-specific harvest greater than 5 gallons, to establish a definition of Jonah crab bycatch, and to modify non-lobster trap possession limits to comply with Addendum I and II of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission�s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Jonah Crab.

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

V. 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 revise the recreational possession limits for bluefish.

The purpose of this amendment is to comply with the 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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