Frank Kearney
05-23-2009, 08:16 AM
CCA ALERT
Public Comment and Hearing at
VMRC in Newport News May 26 at 12 noon
Blue Crabs, Grouper, Tilefish
Blue Crabs
CCA VA recommends that you indicate your support for 2009 blue crab regulations that will assure the continued viability of the crab population. Specifically we support retaining the 2008 regulations with the following two exceptions:
(1) Reduce the fall closure from October 27th to November 30th to a new closure of November 21st to November 30th.
(2) Reinstate the 5-pot recreational crab license, but impose a season for this license of June 1st to September 15th.
The public hearing at the Commission is on the 26th of May at 12 noon. If you cannot attend to testify in person, you can send a letter or email to Jack Travelsted, Deputy Commissioner. The best way to communicate your support for continued conservative regulations would be a personal attendance or a letter, Fax, or e-mail. A sample letter is provided below that you can personalize.
Address your letter, email or fax to:
Jack Travelstead, Deputy Commissioner
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
2600 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Email jack.travelstead@mrc.virginia.gov
Fax 757-247-2002
Sample Letter
Dear Mr. Travelstead,
I would like to comment on the change in regulations for the blue crab fishery that is advertised for public hearing May 26. In my opinion, the time has come for the VMRC to revise the regulations of the blue crab fishery.
I would like to recommend the following changes in the regulations.
Keep all of the 2008 crab regulations in place for 2009 crab season with two exceptions:
1. Reduce the fall closure from October 27th to November 30th to a new closure of November 21 to November 30.
2. Reinstate the 5-pot recreational crab license but impose a season for this license of June 1 to September 15.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
City State Zip
Phone
The purpose of these proposed amendments is to ensure that the total harvest of crabs in 2009 does not exceed 46 percent of the population. Additionally, since production of new crabs has been especially low the last three years, and these late-winter, early-spring "recruits" are exploited by the fisheries in fall and represent an important portion of the following year's spawning crabs, the proposed measures are also designed to conserve sufficient recruits, in order to maintain the spawning population of blue crabs at the interim target of 200 million crabs.
The Commission intends to implement crab management measures designed to achieve equivalent conservation, as established for the 2008 blue crab fisheries, to promote a harvest that is at or near the 46 percent annual harvest rate and to provide the crab stock an opportunity, in 2010, to again achieve an interim abundance level of at least 200 million potential spawning crabs.
1) Closed seasons, bushel limits and combinations of closed seasons and bushel limits, for any dates within the June 1 through November 30 period, to conserve female crabs. Bushel limits may be established for each crab pot license category.
2) Increase the allowable crab pot limits, in 2009, so that crab pot limits, for any license category, would be reduced by up to 15 to 20 percent of the 2007 allowable limits. Currently, the pot limits are established as 30 percent less than the 2007 limits.
3) Establish a September 16 through November 30 prohibition on the harvest of female crabs, within any of the blue crab spawning sanctuary areas. Shorter time periods, for this prohibition, may also be considered.
4) Modify the requirements and responsibilities for authorized agents using crab gear. Currently, an agent that receives a crab fishing violation is subject only to court-imposed findings and penalties. The Commission proposes that any agent convicted by a court of two crab fishery violations, within a 12-month period, shall be precluded from serving as an agent, for at least one year subsequent to that second conviction. The Commission also proposes that the licensee, who has authorized an agent who is convicted by a court of two crab fishery-related violations, within a 12-month period, shall appear before the Commission, for a license-revocation hearing.
5) A closure of the crab dredge season from December 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010.
6) Reconsider the current provision of the regulation that would reinstate the sale of a 5-pot recreational crab pot license, once an interim abundance target of 200 million age 1 and older crabs has been achieved. That target has been met, but the Crab Management Advisory Committee recommends that the interim target should be maintained for three successive years because that standard applies for allowing those commercial fishermen currently on a waiting list and ineligible for a crab fishery license, to be considered for re-entry to the fishery. The Commission will also consider other options, including bushel limits, crab pot limits of 4 pots or 3 pots, and closed season dates that shall apply to this recreational fishery.
7) Establish a June 9, 2009 deadline, for the submission of an appeal, by any person whose crab pot or peeler pot license has been placed on the waiting list, in accordance with Regulation 4 VAC 20-1040-10 et seq. "Pertaining to Crabbing Licenses".
Additional Background - 2008 Crab Regulations:
1) Statewide closure of the winter dredge fishery and repeal of all other crab dredge regulations.
2) Require two 2 3/8-inch cull rings in all crab pots.
3) A fall closure to the harvest, by any gear, of female crabs from October 27 through November 30.
4) A 30 percent reduction in crab pots and peeler pots per license, effective with the start of the 2009 crab
Grouper and Tilefish
If you wish to comment on proposed new regulations for Grouper and Tilefish, you can send a letter or email to Jack Travelsted, Chief, Fisheries Management concerning the public hearing on May 26 at noon that will be heard to consider proposed new regulations on Grouper and Tilefish. The Commission will consider proposals establishing additional conservation measures for tilefish and groupers. These measures are in response to proposed amendments by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council that could extend their Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Unit northward and prevent any harvest of tilefish and groupers off of the Virginia coast beyond 40 fathoms. Proposed regulation amendments will include:
1) Recreational Fishery:
a) 1 grouper per vessel per day
b) 3 tilefish per person per day not to exceed 18 tilefish per vessel
c) Creation of a recreational landing permit for grouper and tilefish possession
d) Require recreational mandatory catch reporting of grouper and tilefish
2) Commercial Fishery:
a) 150 pounds of tilefish per vessel per trip
b) 150 pounds of grouper per vessel per trip
c) 1 snowy grouper per vessel per trip
d) 1 warsaw grouper per vessel per trip
A personal letter in your own words concerning the change in regulations would be the best way to communicate your desires regarding the fishery.
Address your letter, email, or fax to:
Jack Travelstead, Chief, Fisheries Management
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
2600 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Email jack.travelstead@mrc.virginia.gov
Fax 757-247-2002
Background Information
Current Virginia Regulations for Grouper and Tilefish:
4VAC20-1120-20. DEFINITIONS.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.
"Grouper" means any of the following species:
Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci
Coney, Cephalopholis fulva
Gag grouper, Mycteroperca microlepis
Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara
Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentata
Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus
Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus
Red grouper, Epinephelus morio
Red Hind, Epinephelus guttatus
Rock Hind, Epinephelus adscensionis
Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax
Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus
Speckled Hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi
Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris
Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus nigritus
Wreckfish, Polyprion americanus
Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus
Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa
Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis
"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreationally fishing" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.
"Tilefish" means any of the following species:
Blueline tilefish, Caulolatilus microps
Golden tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Sand tilefish, Malacanthus plumieri
4VAC20-1120-30. RECREATIONAL HARVEST AND POSSESSION LIMIT.
A. The recreational harvest, landing and possession limit for tilefish, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, shall be seven fish. It shall be unlawful for any person to recreationally harvest, land or possess more than seven tilefish within or without Virginia tidal waters. When fishing from any boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit for tilefish shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by seven. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limits.
B. The recreational harvest, landing and possession limit for grouper, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, shall be one fish. It shall be unlawful for any person to recreationally harvest, land or possess more than one grouper within or without Virginia tidal waters. When fishing from any boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit for grouper shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limits.
4VAC20-1120-40. COMMERCIAL LIMITATIONS.
A. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land in Virginia more than 300 pounds of tilefish, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, per day when commercial fishing.
B. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land in Virginia more than 175 pounds of grouper, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, per day when commercial fishing.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer at sea to another person or vessel any harvest of tilefish or grouper.
At the FMAC meeting at VMRC on May 12th, the new proposed regulations were discussed. The driving force behind the new regulations are the proposed amendments 17 and 18 of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council that has primary responsibility for these two species. At the April meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, they passed a motion "Move to request the SAFMC include an alternative in proposed Amendment 18 to its Snapper Grouper FMP for a northern Snapper Grouper Management Unit for deepwater species to be managed by MAFMC in consultation with the SAFMC." A delegation from MAFMC plans to attend the SAFMC meeting in June to discuss the issue. In the meantime the issue is on the agenda of VMRC on May 26th and any decision on what Virginia does with the proposed regulations will be decided by VMRC. If you have an interest in this issue, send your comments to Jack Travelstead at VMRC before the meeting on May 26th.
Virginia website: Welcome to Coastal Conservation Association Virginia National website: Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)
The preceding information is provided as a public service by the Coastal Conservation Association Virginia (CCA VA). Feel free to forward it to your associates. If you have any comments concerning this issue, or would like to have a name added to or removed from the distribution list, send an email to info@ccavirginia.org. CCA VA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the health of coastal fisheries for the benefit of all Virginians. Please visit our website at Welcome to Coastal Conservation Association Virginia for more information.
Public Comment and Hearing at
VMRC in Newport News May 26 at 12 noon
Blue Crabs, Grouper, Tilefish
Blue Crabs
CCA VA recommends that you indicate your support for 2009 blue crab regulations that will assure the continued viability of the crab population. Specifically we support retaining the 2008 regulations with the following two exceptions:
(1) Reduce the fall closure from October 27th to November 30th to a new closure of November 21st to November 30th.
(2) Reinstate the 5-pot recreational crab license, but impose a season for this license of June 1st to September 15th.
The public hearing at the Commission is on the 26th of May at 12 noon. If you cannot attend to testify in person, you can send a letter or email to Jack Travelsted, Deputy Commissioner. The best way to communicate your support for continued conservative regulations would be a personal attendance or a letter, Fax, or e-mail. A sample letter is provided below that you can personalize.
Address your letter, email or fax to:
Jack Travelstead, Deputy Commissioner
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
2600 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Email jack.travelstead@mrc.virginia.gov
Fax 757-247-2002
Sample Letter
Dear Mr. Travelstead,
I would like to comment on the change in regulations for the blue crab fishery that is advertised for public hearing May 26. In my opinion, the time has come for the VMRC to revise the regulations of the blue crab fishery.
I would like to recommend the following changes in the regulations.
Keep all of the 2008 crab regulations in place for 2009 crab season with two exceptions:
1. Reduce the fall closure from October 27th to November 30th to a new closure of November 21 to November 30.
2. Reinstate the 5-pot recreational crab license but impose a season for this license of June 1 to September 15.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
City State Zip
Phone
The purpose of these proposed amendments is to ensure that the total harvest of crabs in 2009 does not exceed 46 percent of the population. Additionally, since production of new crabs has been especially low the last three years, and these late-winter, early-spring "recruits" are exploited by the fisheries in fall and represent an important portion of the following year's spawning crabs, the proposed measures are also designed to conserve sufficient recruits, in order to maintain the spawning population of blue crabs at the interim target of 200 million crabs.
The Commission intends to implement crab management measures designed to achieve equivalent conservation, as established for the 2008 blue crab fisheries, to promote a harvest that is at or near the 46 percent annual harvest rate and to provide the crab stock an opportunity, in 2010, to again achieve an interim abundance level of at least 200 million potential spawning crabs.
1) Closed seasons, bushel limits and combinations of closed seasons and bushel limits, for any dates within the June 1 through November 30 period, to conserve female crabs. Bushel limits may be established for each crab pot license category.
2) Increase the allowable crab pot limits, in 2009, so that crab pot limits, for any license category, would be reduced by up to 15 to 20 percent of the 2007 allowable limits. Currently, the pot limits are established as 30 percent less than the 2007 limits.
3) Establish a September 16 through November 30 prohibition on the harvest of female crabs, within any of the blue crab spawning sanctuary areas. Shorter time periods, for this prohibition, may also be considered.
4) Modify the requirements and responsibilities for authorized agents using crab gear. Currently, an agent that receives a crab fishing violation is subject only to court-imposed findings and penalties. The Commission proposes that any agent convicted by a court of two crab fishery violations, within a 12-month period, shall be precluded from serving as an agent, for at least one year subsequent to that second conviction. The Commission also proposes that the licensee, who has authorized an agent who is convicted by a court of two crab fishery-related violations, within a 12-month period, shall appear before the Commission, for a license-revocation hearing.
5) A closure of the crab dredge season from December 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010.
6) Reconsider the current provision of the regulation that would reinstate the sale of a 5-pot recreational crab pot license, once an interim abundance target of 200 million age 1 and older crabs has been achieved. That target has been met, but the Crab Management Advisory Committee recommends that the interim target should be maintained for three successive years because that standard applies for allowing those commercial fishermen currently on a waiting list and ineligible for a crab fishery license, to be considered for re-entry to the fishery. The Commission will also consider other options, including bushel limits, crab pot limits of 4 pots or 3 pots, and closed season dates that shall apply to this recreational fishery.
7) Establish a June 9, 2009 deadline, for the submission of an appeal, by any person whose crab pot or peeler pot license has been placed on the waiting list, in accordance with Regulation 4 VAC 20-1040-10 et seq. "Pertaining to Crabbing Licenses".
Additional Background - 2008 Crab Regulations:
1) Statewide closure of the winter dredge fishery and repeal of all other crab dredge regulations.
2) Require two 2 3/8-inch cull rings in all crab pots.
3) A fall closure to the harvest, by any gear, of female crabs from October 27 through November 30.
4) A 30 percent reduction in crab pots and peeler pots per license, effective with the start of the 2009 crab
Grouper and Tilefish
If you wish to comment on proposed new regulations for Grouper and Tilefish, you can send a letter or email to Jack Travelsted, Chief, Fisheries Management concerning the public hearing on May 26 at noon that will be heard to consider proposed new regulations on Grouper and Tilefish. The Commission will consider proposals establishing additional conservation measures for tilefish and groupers. These measures are in response to proposed amendments by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council that could extend their Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Unit northward and prevent any harvest of tilefish and groupers off of the Virginia coast beyond 40 fathoms. Proposed regulation amendments will include:
1) Recreational Fishery:
a) 1 grouper per vessel per day
b) 3 tilefish per person per day not to exceed 18 tilefish per vessel
c) Creation of a recreational landing permit for grouper and tilefish possession
d) Require recreational mandatory catch reporting of grouper and tilefish
2) Commercial Fishery:
a) 150 pounds of tilefish per vessel per trip
b) 150 pounds of grouper per vessel per trip
c) 1 snowy grouper per vessel per trip
d) 1 warsaw grouper per vessel per trip
A personal letter in your own words concerning the change in regulations would be the best way to communicate your desires regarding the fishery.
Address your letter, email, or fax to:
Jack Travelstead, Chief, Fisheries Management
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
2600 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Email jack.travelstead@mrc.virginia.gov
Fax 757-247-2002
Background Information
Current Virginia Regulations for Grouper and Tilefish:
4VAC20-1120-20. DEFINITIONS.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.
"Grouper" means any of the following species:
Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci
Coney, Cephalopholis fulva
Gag grouper, Mycteroperca microlepis
Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara
Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentata
Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus
Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus
Red grouper, Epinephelus morio
Red Hind, Epinephelus guttatus
Rock Hind, Epinephelus adscensionis
Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax
Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus
Speckled Hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi
Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris
Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus nigritus
Wreckfish, Polyprion americanus
Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus
Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa
Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis
"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreationally fishing" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.
"Tilefish" means any of the following species:
Blueline tilefish, Caulolatilus microps
Golden tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Sand tilefish, Malacanthus plumieri
4VAC20-1120-30. RECREATIONAL HARVEST AND POSSESSION LIMIT.
A. The recreational harvest, landing and possession limit for tilefish, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, shall be seven fish. It shall be unlawful for any person to recreationally harvest, land or possess more than seven tilefish within or without Virginia tidal waters. When fishing from any boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit for tilefish shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by seven. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limits.
B. The recreational harvest, landing and possession limit for grouper, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, shall be one fish. It shall be unlawful for any person to recreationally harvest, land or possess more than one grouper within or without Virginia tidal waters. When fishing from any boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit for grouper shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limits.
4VAC20-1120-40. COMMERCIAL LIMITATIONS.
A. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land in Virginia more than 300 pounds of tilefish, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, per day when commercial fishing.
B. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land in Virginia more than 175 pounds of grouper, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, per day when commercial fishing.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer at sea to another person or vessel any harvest of tilefish or grouper.
At the FMAC meeting at VMRC on May 12th, the new proposed regulations were discussed. The driving force behind the new regulations are the proposed amendments 17 and 18 of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council that has primary responsibility for these two species. At the April meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, they passed a motion "Move to request the SAFMC include an alternative in proposed Amendment 18 to its Snapper Grouper FMP for a northern Snapper Grouper Management Unit for deepwater species to be managed by MAFMC in consultation with the SAFMC." A delegation from MAFMC plans to attend the SAFMC meeting in June to discuss the issue. In the meantime the issue is on the agenda of VMRC on May 26th and any decision on what Virginia does with the proposed regulations will be decided by VMRC. If you have an interest in this issue, send your comments to Jack Travelstead at VMRC before the meeting on May 26th.
Virginia website: Welcome to Coastal Conservation Association Virginia National website: Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)
The preceding information is provided as a public service by the Coastal Conservation Association Virginia (CCA VA). Feel free to forward it to your associates. If you have any comments concerning this issue, or would like to have a name added to or removed from the distribution list, send an email to info@ccavirginia.org. CCA VA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the health of coastal fisheries for the benefit of all Virginians. Please visit our website at Welcome to Coastal Conservation Association Virginia for more information.