Public Notice:  Proposed Regulations, September 2013

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the establishment of the regulations, as proposed below.  By September 9, 2013 the proposed draft regulations can be viewed at the Commission offices or on the Commission website at the following address:  http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm

In accordance with Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposed regulations will be held at 12:00 noon, on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Written comments on the proposals should be provided to Robert L. O�Reilly, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, Virginia 23607, by 12:00 p.m., Monday September 23, 2013. 

I.  Chapter 4VAC20-720-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Restrictions on Oyster Harvest�

The Commission shall consider the following proposal for the 2013-2014 public oyster harvest season for two areas in the Pocomoke Sound west of Saxis, Virginia.

A.  The lawful seasons and areas for the harvest of oysters by hand scrape from these public oyster grounds are as follows: 

19) Pocomoke Sound, Public Ground Number 9: November 1, 2013 through November 30, 2013, and,
20) Pocomoke Sound, Public Ground Number 10: December 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.

The purpose of the amendments is to promote efficient utilization of oyster resources.

II.  Chapter 4VAC20-950-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Black Sea Bass�

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4VAC20-950-10 et seq. to establish a black sea bass aquaculture permit that will allow aquaculture businesses to possess, harvest, and sell black sea bass raised in their facilities.  The permit provides an exception from the current commercial size limit and would allow such facilities the ability to import black sea bass eggs, fry, and brood-stock from captive brood-stock facilities outside of Virginia.  All cultured black sea bass would be labeled as aquaculture origin.  Aquaculture operations would be subject to inspections by agents of the Commission, and no black sea bass produced from any aquaculture facility shall be introduced to the natural waters of Virginia without permission of the Commissioner.  The purpose of this amendment is to provide aquaculture operations the ability to minimize current permit application requirement burdens. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE BETTY WARREN (757-247-2248) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.



Back to top

Important Links

VMRC Mobile
Chesapeake Bay Plate
VRSFDF
Buy Recrecational Licenses
Fisherman Identification Program
VMRC Regulations
Recreational Fishing Regulations
Anglers Guide