The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the
proposed amendments to the regulations listed below.
In accordance with §28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public
hearing on the proposed amendments will be held at 12:00 Noon on
Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at the Marine Resources Commission, 2600
Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Written comments on
the proposals should be mailed to Jack Travelstead, VMRC Fisheries
Management Division, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News,
Virginia 23607, by 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 25, 2004.
Copies of the proposed amendments may be reviewed at the Commission
Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and may be obtained by
calling the Commission at (757) 247-2248.
I. Regulation 4 VAC
20-950-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Black Sea Bass"
On September 28, 2004, the Marine Resources Commission adopted, under
its emergency regulatory authority, an amendment to the above
regulation that increases the trip limit for the black sea bass bycatch
fishery, as follows:
"It shall be unlawful for any person permitted for the by-catch fishery
to possess aboard a vessel or to land in Virginia, in any one day, more
than 500 pounds of black sea bass, except that any person permitted for
the by-catch fishery may possess aboard a vessel or land in Virginia
more than 500 pounds, but not more than 1000 pounds in any one day,
provided that the total weight of black sea bass on board the vessel or
landed in any one day, shall not exceed 10 percent, by weight, of all
other species on board the vessel."
The provisions of the emergency regulation are effective on September
29, 2004 and will terminate on October 28, 2004, unless extended by the
Commission. The Commission proposes to extend these emergency
provisions through December 31, 2004.
The following additional amendments to the regulation are proposed for
the 2005 fishery.