The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the proposed amendments to the regulations listed 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, October 26, 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, October 25, 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.
I. Regulation 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Black Sea Bass"
On September 28, 2004, the Marine Resources Commission adopted, under its emergency regulatory authority, an amendment to the above regulation that increases the trip limit for the black sea bass bycatch fishery, as follows:
"It shall be unlawful for any person permitted for the by-catch fishery to possess aboard a vessel or to land in Virginia, in any one day, more than 500 pounds of black sea bass, except that any person permitted for the by-catch fishery may possess aboard a vessel or land in Virginia more than 500 pounds, but not more than 1000 pounds in any one day, provided that the total weight of black sea bass on board the vessel or landed in any one day, shall not exceed 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board the vessel."
The provisions of the emergency regulation are effective on September 29, 2004 and will terminate on October 28, 2004, unless extended by the Commission. The Commission proposes to extend these emergency provisions through December 31, 2004.
The following additional amendments to the regulation are proposed for the 2005 fishery.
