Public Notice:  Proposed Regulations, March 2016

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the establishment of amendments to regulations, as proposed below. By March 7, 2016, the proposed draft regulations may be viewed at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia.

In accordance with Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposed regulations will be held no earlier than 12:00 noon, on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Public comments on the proposals should be provided to Robert L. O�Reilly, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, Virginia 23607, by 12:00 p.m., Monday, March 21, 2016.

I. Chapter 4 VAC 20-720-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Restrictions on Oyster Harvest�

On February 23, 2016, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission adopted, under its emergency regulatory authority (Section 28.2-210 of the Code of Virginia), the following amendment to this chapter: beginning February 23, 2016, payment of the oyster resource user fee that allows any harvester to use one or more gear types to harvest oysters or possess any bushel limit, as described in this section, shall be limited to those individuals who previously paid an oyster resource user fee (1,123 individuals). The Commission will also consider a date to sunset this provision, if additional effort control measures are established in the future.

The purpose of this proposed amendment is to promote efficiency in utilization of this resource.

II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Sharks�

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Sharks," to establish the initial commercial quota for smoothhound sharks (smooth dogfish), as 922,030 pounds in dressed weight.

The purpose of this amendment is to comply with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission�s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks.

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VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE JANE MCCROSKEY (757-247-2215) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.



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