TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION

Final Regulation

REGISTRAR’S NOTICE: The following regulation filed by the Marine Resources Commission is exempt from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 12 of the Code of Virginia; however, the commission is required to publish the full text of final regulations.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-70).

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

Effective Date: March 1, 2009.

Agency Contact: Jane Warren, 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 eliminate the season closure for the 2009 recreational harvest of summer flounder.

4VAC20-620-70. Recreational fishing season.

A. The recreational fishing season for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, excluding the Potomac River tributaries, and the coastal area, shall be closed July 21 through July 30 open year-round.

B. The recreational fishing season for the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or possess any Summer Flounder during any closed recreational fishing season.

D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of Summer Flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

VA.R. Doc. No. R09-1791; Filed February 26, 2009, 2:48 p.m.