Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-50).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: Jane Warren, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, FAX (757) 247-2002, or email betty.warren@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments establish a daily commercial bycatch landing limit for speckled trout as no more than 100 pounds per commercial fisherman registration licensee per day.

4VAC20-280-50. Commercial landings quota and daily bycatch limit.

A. For each 12-month period of September 1 through August 31, the commercial landings of speckled trout shall be limited to 51,104 pounds.

B. When it is projected and announced that 80% of the commercial landings quota has been taken, it shall be unlawful for any commercial fisherman registration licensee to take, harvest, land, or possess a daily bycatch limit of up to greater than 100 pounds of speckled trout, and that daily bycatch landing limit of speckled trout shall consist of at least an equal amount of other fish species.

C. When it is projected that the commercial landings quota will be met by a certain date within the above period, the Marine Resources Commission will provide notice of the closing date for commercial harvest and landing of speckled trout during that period, and it shall be unlawful for any person to harvest or land speckled trout for commercial purposes after such closing date for the remainder of that period.