CLOSURE OF VIRGINIA'S  SECOND QUARTER
DIRECTED OFFSHORE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY

TO: SUMMER FLOUNDER INDUSTRY

FROM: VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION, JACK TRAVELSTEAD, CHIEF OF FISHERIES

RE: CLOSURE OF VIRGINIA'S SECOND QUARTER DIRECTED OFFSHORE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY—REVISED NOTICE

Based upon your industry input, we understand several vessels were surprised by yesterday evening’s notice that the summer flounder fishery has reached 85 percent of the second quarter.  Several vessels are still in the ocean and motoring to Virginia at this time.  To accommodate those vessels, Virginia will allow vessels to land up to 5,000 pounds of summer flounder, until 10 PM, today, April 2, 2007.

After 10:00 PM April 2, 2007 vessels will be limited to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species landed and sold from the vessel, except for safe harbor.

All summer flounder landed in Virginia in the second quarter in excess of the quota (116,084 pounds) will be deducted from the fourth quarter quota (531,449 pounds).

Vessels seeking safe harbor shall contact the Marine Resources Commission Operations Center in advance of entry into Virginia waters.  Any vessel declaring a need for safe harbor may be subject to inspection by the United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Office.

If you have questions or comments contact Lewis Gillingham at (757) 247 2243.

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