NOTICE
1998 BROODSTOCK RELOCATION PROJECT
NOTICE OF INTENT TO PURCHASE OYSTERS FOR TRANSPLANTING
Notice is hereby given that the Marine Resources Commission (MRC) intends to purchase, for replanting, market size (clean cull -- 3 inches or larger ($3")) oysters harvested from public oyster grounds in the Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds Management Area and from an area(s) in the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Piankatank River and/or from an area near the mouth of the Rappahannock River. The project will begin December 1, 1998; and, will end when 1) the bushel quota limits have been met or 2) if the Commissioner determines that the project is not economically feasible.
Approximately 1,000 bushels of clean cull oysters (3" or larger) will be harvested from the Pocomoke and Tangier Sound Management Area and approximately 1,500 bushels of clean cull oysters (3" or larger) will be harvested from the western shore Chesapeake Bay areas near the mouth of the Piankatank River and/or Rappahannock River.
Harvester:
The agency seeks to contract with twenty (20) harvesters to work in the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Piankatank and/or Rappahannock Rivers and all harvesters interested in working in the Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound Management Area under the following conditions:
- Harvesters must hold a valid Commercial Fisherman Registration License, and must be licensed for a standard oyster dredge which meets the specifications set by the Commission.
- Harvesters will be paid $25.00 per bushel of clean cull oysters.
- All harvest areas will be designated and marked by MRC personnel.
- Daily, all catch will be offloaded onto a transporting vessel provided by the Marine Resources Commission or planted on a program reef site.
- MRC Personnel will be present for the offloading of the daily catch to tally and document each harvester's daily catch.
- Oysters will be tallied by the Virginia bushel tub.
- All parties interested in harvesting oysters for the state shall notify the MRC-CRD office by 12:00 noon on November 20, 1998, indicating at that time in which area they wish to work.
- If more than the twenty (20) harvesters needed for the Chesapeake Bay area should respond then a lottery will be held November 20, 1998 at 2:00 p.m. at the MRC-CRD Office, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA. All interested parties are invited to attend. Selected harvesters must have the necessary contract and W-9 tax form completed and signed and on file at the MRC main office to participate in this project.
- All harvesters working in the Pocomoke and Tangier Management area must have the necessary contract and W-9 tax form completed and signed and on file at the MRC main office to participate this project.
- Payments to the harvester shall be mailed after the end of each work week, upon receipt of proper documentation by the MRC.
TRANSPORTER:
The agency seeks to contract with one transport boat under the following conditions; to transport the oyster harvested as described above.
- The transporter shall be paid $500 per work day, work day to be determined by the Conservation and Replenishment Division Head, in addition for all bushels over 500, transported per week, $3.00 per bushel shall be paid.
- The transporter shall transport the oysters at least once per week, from the Pocomoke and Tangier Management Area to an area designated and marked by MRC personnel, in the Great Wicomico River and/or Piankatank River. MRC personnel will be present for the offloading and planting to ensure that all oysters are properly planted.
- All parties interested in the transporting shall notify the MRC-CRD office by 12:00 noon on November 20, 1998.
- Should more than one transporter respond, a lottery shall be held at the MRC-CRD office, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA at 2:00 p.m. on November 20, 1998, to select the transporter for this project. All interested parties are invited to attend. The transporter selected shall be notified in writing.
- Payments to the transporter shall be mailed after the end of each work week, upon receipt of proper documentation by the MRC.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. James A. Wesson, Division Head, Conservation and Replenishment Division, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607, 757-247-2121.
This project is contingent upon the Commission's approval and a public hearing on this matter is scheduled for November 23, 1998.
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