The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the proposed regulations listed below.
In accordance with §28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposed regulations will be held at 12:00 Noon, on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 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, July 21, 2008. Copies of the proposed regulations may be reviewed, at the Commission, Monday through Thursday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and may be obtained by calling the Commission at (757) 247-2248.
1. Chapter 4VAC20-1150-et seq. "Pertaining to Charter Boat and Head Boat Fisheries".
The Commission proposes to establish a control date of June 24, 2008 that will be used at such time as the Commission determines that fishing effort and licenses in the Virginia charter boat and head boat fisheries should be limited. Participation, by any individual, in the Virginia charter boat and head boat fisheries, after the control date, will not be considered in the calculation or distribution of fishing privileges or licenses, should limits on the participation in these fisheries be necessary. The Commission reserves the right to consider any qualifying criteria, up to June 24, 2008, in the development of limited entry systems. Any individual entering these fisheries and purchasing a license, after the control date, will have no guarantee to a charter boat or head boat license in future years, if entry to these fisheries is restricted.
The Commission is authorized to limit fishing effort and license sales under Sections 28.2-204.1 and 28.2-302.8 of the Code of Virginia.
2. Chapter 4VAC20-910-10 Et Seq. "Pertaining to Scup".
The Commission proposes to establish the commercial harvest quota for Scup, for the May 1 - October 31, 2008 season, as 2,887 pounds. The 2007 quota for the same period was 7,862 pounds. The reduction in quota is necessary to prevent overfishing and to comply with the provisions of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Scup.
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.
