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1995 SESSION

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LD1708607
SENATE BILL NO. 908 Offered January 23, 1995 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 28.2-203.1, relating to crab fishery management plans. ---------- Patron--Barry ---------- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 28.2-203.1 as follows:

§ 28.2-203.1. Blue crab fishery management plan.

A. The Commission shall prepare and implement a blue crab fishery management plan. The plan shall be based on and consistent with the standards for fishery conservation and management set out in § 28.2-203 and shall at a minimum, so as to reverse the overfishing and stress on the crab stock in Virginia waters, include regulations or restrictions on: (i) winter dredging; (ii) commercial licensing; (iii) the taking and protection of spawning stock; (iv) the establishment of nursing sanctuaries in areas with submerged aquatic vegetation; (v) limitations on the taking of peeler and soft shell crabs; (vi) size limits; (vii) the use of cull rings and the use of crab pots; and (viii) time of day restrictions and closed seasons. The protection of spawning stock and nursery areas shall be a prime consideration in the plan. The plan shall specify recommended legislative changes particularly when the Commission believes that it lacks needed authority or that statutory provisions on the commercial and recreational taking of crabs limit the authority of the Commission to regulate in a manner needed to implement the plan.

B. The Commission shall, on or before December 1 of each year, report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the progress and implementation of the blue crab fisheries management plan.