The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to Regulations 4 VAC 20-995-10 ET SEQ., "Pertaining to Commercial Hook-and-Line Fishing".
Purpose: The purpose of the proposed amendment, shown below, is to allow for limited exemptions to the entry limitations associated with the sale of commercial hook-and-line licenses.
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, January 23, 2000, at the Virginia 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, VA 23607. A copy of the proposed regulation may be reviewed at the Commission during 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 AMENDMENT:
A proposed amendment, 4 VAC 20-995-20 A. 3,. would allow the Commission to grant an exemption from the entry limitations associated with the sale of commercial hook-and-line licenses, on a case-by-case basis. The Commission will establish specific criteria for granting such exemptions, and criteria may include, but will not be limited to, any health conditions or continuous active military service which prevents a person from satisfying the current entry limitations.
At present, the sale of commercial hook-and-line licenses shall be limited to registered commercial fishermen meeting either of the following two requirements:
1. The fisherman shall have held a 1996 commercial hook-and-line license or a 1997 commercial hook-and-line license which was purchased prior to August 26, 1997, provided the fisherman has reported sales of at least 1000 pounds of seafood during the course of the previous two years as documented by the Commission's mandatory harvest reporting program.
2. The fisherman shall hold a valid and current striped bass permit issued by the Marine Resources Commission.
