4VAC20-950 Pertaining to Black Sea Bass

REGULATIONS

Vol. 32 Iss. 9 - December 28, 2015

TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

MARINE RESOURCESCOMMISSION

Chapter 950

Final Regulation

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Marine Resources Commission is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 11 of the Code of Virginia; however, the commission is required to publish the full text of final regulations.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-47).

Statutory Authority: § 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: January 1, 2016.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone [phone] or email [e-mail].

Summary:

The amendment increases the commercial black sea bass directed fishery quota to 502,000 pounds beginning January 1, 2016.

4VAC20-950-47. Commercial harvest quotas.

A. The annual commercial black sea bass directed fishery quota is 402,584 502,000 pounds. When it has been announced that the directed fishery quota has been projected as reached and the directed fishery has been closed, it shall be unlawful for any directed commercial black sea bass fishery permittee to possess aboard any vessel or land in Virginia any black sea bass.

B. The annual commercial black sea bass bycatch fishery quota is 40,000 pounds. When it has been announced that the bycatch fishery quota has been projected as reached and the bycatch fishery has been closed, it shall be unlawful for any bycatch commercial black sea bass fishery permittee to possess aboard any vessel or land in Virginia any black sea bass. In the event the bycatch fishery quota is exceeded, the amount of the quota overage shall be deducted from the following year's bycatch fishing quota.

VA.R. Doc. No. R16-4590; Filed December 9, 2015, 1:44 p.m.