The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to "Regulation 4 VAC 20-620-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Summer Flounder." A summary of the proposed amendments is provided below. The purpose of the amendments is to reduce recreational harvest of summer flounder in Virginia by 40 percent and to comply with the provisions of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Summer Flounder.

In accordance with §28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, public hearings on the adoption of the proposed regulation will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at the Eastern Shore Community College, Melfa, and at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, February 23, 1999, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Written comments on the proposals should be mailed to: Jack Travelstead, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, P.O. Box 756, Newport News, Virginia 23607. A copy of the proposed regulation may be reviewed at the Commission during Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the proposed regulation may call the Commission at (757) 247-2248.

Proposed Amendments:

• The minimum size of Summer Flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including but not limited to hook-and-line, rod-and-reel, spear and gig, shall be 16 inches, total length.

• The season for the harvest of summer flounder by recreational fishermen shall be closed from July 25, 1999 through July 31, 1999 and from December 1, 1999 through February 28, 2000. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, harvest, or possess summer flounder during the closed seasons.

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission will accept and consider further testimony pertaining to other combinations of minimum size limits, possession limits, and season closures which achieve the required 40 percent reduction in recreational harvest of summer flounder.

The proposed effective date of the above measures is March 1, 1999.