Public Notice: Pertaining to Sharks, Black Sea Bass, Porgy

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to the regulations listed below.

In accordance with ?28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the adoption of the proposed amendments will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, September 26, 2000, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Written comments on the proposed amendments should be mailed to: Jack Travelstead, VMRC, Fisheries Management Division, at the above listed address. Copies of the proposed amendments may be reviewed at the Commission, Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the proposed regulation may call the Commission at (757) 247-2248.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO VMRC REGULATIONS:

All proposed amendments are pursuant to recent emergency actions taken by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). An emergency action is in effect for 180 days, except that the emergency may be extended for two additional periods of one year each.

1. Regulation 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Sharks." The Commission proposes to establish a closure on the commercial harvest, landing and possession of spiny dogfish when it has been announced that the federal quota for spiny dogfish has been taken. The purposes of the amendments are to close state waters to the harvest of spiny dogfish when the quota established by the federal Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan has been taken and comply with an emergency rule established in accordance with the ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Program Charter.
   
2. Regulation 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Black Sea Bass." The Commission proposes to modify the current 9000-pound 1st quarter vessel possession and landing limit by lowering that limit to 4500 pounds, as soon as it has been projected and announced that 75% of the 1st quarter coastwide quota has been taken. The Commission also proposes to reduce the current 3000-pound 2nd quarter vessel possession and landing limit to 1500 pounds, and that limit will be further reduced to 750 pounds, as soon as it has been projected and announced that 50% of the 2nd quarter coastwide quota has been taken. Further, the Commission proposes to reduce the current 2000-pound 3rd quarter vessel possession and landing limit to 1000 pounds, and that limit will be further reduced to 500 pounds, as soon as it has been projected and announced that 50% of the 3rd quarter coastwide quota has been taken. The Commission also proposes to reduce the current 3000-pound 4th quarter vessel possession and landing limit to 2000 pounds, and that limit will be further reduced to 1000 pounds, as soon as it has been projected and announced that 50% of the 4th quarter quota has been taken. The purposes of the amendments are to reduce the probability of quarterly quota overages and early closure of the commercial fishery and comply with an emergency rule established in accordance with the ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Black Sea Bass.
   
3. Regulation 4 VAC 20-910-et seq., "Pertaining to Scup (Porgy)." The Commission proposes to establish a vessel possession and landing limit of 500 pounds during the November 1 through December 31 period, and this limit will be reduced to 200 pounds, as soon as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission notifies the VMRC that 50% of the November 1 through December 31 coastwide quota has been taken. The current regulation allows for an 8000-pound vessel and possession and landing limit. The purposes of the amendments are to prevent quota overages and comply with an emergency rule established in accordance with the ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Scup.

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VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION DUE TO A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE DEBORAH CAWTHON (757) 247-2248 NO LESS THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING TIME AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEED.