Proposed Blue Crab Sanctuary

NOTICE

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-700-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Crab Pots," and Regulation 4 VAC 20-752 et seq., "Pertaining to the Hampton Roads and Bayside Eastern Shore Blue Crab Management Areas." The amendments are described 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, June 27, 2000, 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, P. O. Box 756, Newport News, Virginia 23607. 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.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

Regulation 4 VAC 20-700-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Crab Pots"

The Commission proposes to eliminate a requirement previously adopted to be effective July 1, 2000, that crab pots set within the crab dredge areas or within Pocomoke or Tangier Sounds contain a 2 5/16 inch inside diameter cull ring. The requirement that crab pots set in the above areas contain a 2 3/16 inch inside diameter cull ring shall remain in effect.

Regulation 4 VAC 20-752-10 et seq., "Pertaining to the Hampton Roads and Bayside Eastern Shore Blue Crab Management Areas."

The Commission proposes to establish a Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Sanctuary, described below, in which all commercial and recreational crabbing shall be prohibited from June 1 through September 15. The purpose of the proposal is to protect from harvesting female crabs during their spawning migration.

DESCRIPTION OF SANCTUARY

Map of Proposed Blue Crab Sanctuary Map of Proposed Blue Crab Sanctuary

The sanctuary begins at 37E05'40.03" and 75E59'42.03" near the northend of the old span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel; continuing southwest to 37E03'49.26" and 76E05'21.88" in the Chesapeake Channel; thence continuing soutwest to 37E00'52.49" and 76E14'27.31" at Thimble Shoals Light; thence continuing in a northerly direction to 37E24'24.87" and 76E09'30.78" off of Wolf Trap Light; thence continuing northwest to 37E39'21.01" and 76E14'00.83", east of Fleets Bay; thence continuing north to 37E54'05.43" and 76E11'44.09" on the Virginia-Maryland state line; thence continuing east along the state line to 37E55'44.37" and 76E07'14.62"; thence continuing due south to 37E40'45.64" and 76E06'05.81"; thence continuing northeast to 37E44'59.39" and 76E01'35.53"; thence continuing southeast to 37E42'23.27" and 75E58'02.59"; thence continuing in a southerly direction to 37E16'25.90" and 76E04'37.50" off of Cape Charles; thence continuing southeast to 37E10'29.44 and 76E01'54.50"; thence continuing southeast back towards the northend of the old span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

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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.

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