DNREC – DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMMENDMENTS TO 7 DE ADMIN CODE 3503, 3504 AND 3505 PERTAINING TO STRIPED BASS

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)/ Division of Fish & Wildlife will conduct a public hearing on Monday October 24, 2016 at 6:00 PM regarding proposed amendments to 7 DE Admin Code 3503 Striped Bass Recreational Fishing Seasons; Methods of Take; Creel Limit; Possession Limit; 3504 Striped Bass Possession Size Limit; Exceptions; and, 3505 Striped Bass Commercial Fishing Season; Quotas; Tagging and Reporting Requirements. The hearing will be held in the DNREC Auditorium, located at the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

The Department proposes to amend Delaware’s tidal finfish regulations pertaining to the recreational and commercial Striped Bass fisheries.  The Department removed an unnecessary harvest constraint (slot size limit) on the commercial fishery that resulted in the needless waste of Striped Bass through an Emergency Order.   This action proposes to adopt those measures through the normal regulatory process and to modify Striped Bass tagging requirements for consistency with 7 Del. C. §943.  Other proposed measures include lost tag reporting; application of weigh station tags within 12 hours of landing; and actions to ensure compliance with commercial reporting and tagging requirements.  The proposed amendments may be inspected at the Department’s offices located at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or are available by calling the Fisheries Section at (302) 739-9914.

The hearing record on the proposed amendments to 7 DE Admin Code 3503, 3504 and 3405 will open October 1, 2016.  Individuals may submit written comments or request additional information regarding the proposed changes via e-mail to Lisa.Vest@state.de.us or via the USPS to Lisa Vest, Hearing Officer, DNREC, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901 (302) 739-9042. 

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THIS NOTICE WILL APPEA