Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Marine Resources Commission
Board
Marine Resources Commission

General Notice
December 6, 2022 Commission Regulatory Changes
Date Posted: 11/21/2022
Expiration Date: 12/5/2022
Submitted to Registrar for publication: NO
14 Day Comment Forum closed. Began on 11/21/2022 and ended 12/5/2022

I. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden"

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden", to establish a reciprocal quota transfer system between the purse seine menhaden reduction sector and the purse seine menhaden bait sector of the fishery.

The purpose of these amendments is to extend the reciprocal transfer system that allows for transfers between the reduction and purse seine bait sectors beyond 2022.

II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden"

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden", to modify purse seine area and time prohibitions to include: (i) any waters of the Commonwealth’s Chesapeake Bay and the City of Virginia Beach within one nautical mile from the mean low water line; (ii) one-half nautical mile on either side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel; and (iii) the Commonwealth’s waters of the Chesapeake Bay the Thursday prior to, and through Memorial Day; July 1 through July 7; and the Thursday prior to, and through Labor Day.

The purpose of these amendments is to limit future spill incidents while reducing user conflict.

III. Chapter 4 VAC 20-720-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Restrictions on Oyster Harvest”

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-720-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Restrictions on Oyster Harvest" to modify the transfer of eligibility to pay the oyster resource user fee as described in clause (ii) of subsection A of § 28.2-541 of the Code of Virginia, regarding transfers to non-relatives and regarding requests of documented medical hardships or active military leave.

The purpose of this amendment is to ease current regulatory requirements for oyster resource user fee holders to transfer their eligibility to non-family members and to clarify authority for approval of documented medical hardship or active military leave exceptions for transfer eligibility qualification.

A copy of the draft evaluations and draft regulations for the amendments can be found at https://mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm


Contact Information
Name / Title: Jennifer Farmer  / Regulatory Coordinator
Address: 380 Fenwick Road
Building 96
Fort Monroe, 23651
Email Address: jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov
Telephone: (757)247-2248    FAX: (757)247-2002    TDD: ()-