The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the
proposed emergency amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-490-10 ET SEQ.,
"PERTAINING TO SHARKS", as listed below. The emergency amendments
were adopted by the Commission at its meeting on April 27, 2004, in
accordance with § 28.2-210 of the Code of Virginia, and are
proposed for inclusion as a permanent Regulation 4 VAC 20-490-10 ET
SEQ.
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, May 25, 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, May 24, 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.
PURPOSE: The purpose of
the emergency amendments is to maintain compliance with the interstate
management plan for spiny dogfish.
REGULATION 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq.,
"PERTAINING TO SHARKS"
The Commission, by emergency action on April 27, 2004, amended
Regulation 4 VAC 20-490-40 F to lower the possession and vessel landing
limit from 4,000 pounds of spiny dogfish per day to 600 pounds of spiny
dogfish per day, from May 1 through October 30, and establish a
possession and vessel landing limit of 300 pounds of spiny dogfish per
day, from November 1 through April 30, for commercial purposes.
By emergency action, the Commission also eliminated the dealer
reporting requirements associated with landings of spiny dogfish.