Press Room
Archived
Press Releases 2003
 

 
Date Posted: Subject:

December 01, 2003

PRFC Announces Dredging Season

October 23, 2003

Potomac River Fisheries Commission Meeting

October 7, 2003

Crab Advisory Committee Meeting

September 16, 2003

Potomac River Fisheries Commission Meeting

September 4, 2003

Potomac River Fisheries Commission Meeting

July 24, 2003

Oyster/Clam Advisory Committee Meeting

June 6, 2003

Potomac River Fisheries Commission Meeting

May 8, 2003

Oyster/Clam Advisory Committee Meeting

 




PRFC Announces Dredging Season
Posted December 01, 2003


COLONIAL BEACH, VA — Chairman William L. Rice announced today the Potomac River Fisheries Commission has received proclamations from Maryland and Virginia validating the Commission's authority to regulate oyster dredging.

Based on the Commission's actions held at its November 6, 2003 meeting, the dredge season will open December 26, 2003 and run through March 31, 2004. The area open for dredging is downstream of a line from Neal Sound Entrance Light #2 in Charles County, Maryland to the mouth of Popes Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia, excluding Heron Island and Jones Shore oyster bars. Licenses are on sale at the PRFC office.



Potomac River Fisheries Commission Meeting
Posted October 23, 2003


COLONIAL BEACH, VA — Chairman William L. Rice announced today the Potomac River Fisheries Commission will hold its next regular meeting, including an advertised public hearing, on Thursday, November 6, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. in the hearing room of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission Building, 222 Taylor Street, Colonial Beach, Virginia. Mr. Rice invites all interested persons to attend this open public meeting.

A public hearing will be held on several proposed regulation changes regarding oyster power dredging in the Potomac River. Items being considered include: a) increase the hand scrape boat license fee from $150 to $300; b) increase the hand scrape individual license fee from $125 to $250; c) modify the definition of a dredge by striking the words “ power or sail” and “the use of which on the Potomac River is prohibited by the Potomac River Compact of 1958.”; d) modify the definition of a hand scrape so as to allow it to be pulled with a winch, winder, spool or other hoisting gear; e) prohibit hand tongs or power assisted hand tongs aboard hand scrape boats and prohibit dredges or hand scrapes aboard hand tong boats; f) extend the hand scrape line upriver to the 301 Bridge, exempting Heron Island oyster bar; g) striking the words “scoop, power and/or sail” and “or any power or hand operated winch, spool, winder, or other tackle used or usable in power and/or sail dredging and/or patent tonging” from the regulation dealing with unlawful equipment; h) increase the oyster inspection tax from $0.75 to $1.00; i) replace the words “tongers or hand scrapers” with the word “harvesters”; j) remove the prohibition on oysters being placed or deposited in any basket; k) add a US Standard Bushel Basket as a measure of oysters; and l) include the inspection of oysters contained in bushel baskets.

Other items on the agenda include but are not limited to: a report on the fall oyster harvest and the annual oyster bar survey; a report on the crab harvest and recommendations from the PRFC’s Crab Advisory Committee on achieving the commitment between Virginia, Maryland and the PRFC to maintain a 15% harvest reduction plan for 2004; establish the 2004 commercial, recreational and charter boat fisheries season dates, size limits, catch limits and other restrictions for striped bass and most other species.

Other items on the agenda also include: seeking nominations to fill vacancies on the crab, shellfish and finfish advisory committees and an update from the building committee.

PRFC does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities; therefore, if you are in need of reasonable accommodations due to a disability, please call (804) 224-7148 no later than three work days prior to the meeting date and identify your needs.



Crab Advisory Committee Meeting
Posted October 7, 2003


COLONIAL BEACH, VA (October 7, 2003) — The Potomac River Crab Advisory Committee, which is comprised of private citizens and industry representatives, will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at the PRFC Office in Colonial Beach, Virginia.

Items on the agenda will include, but may not be limited to, a review of the 2003 crab harvest data and how to achieve the commitment between Maryland, Virginia and the PRFC to maintain a 15% reduction in crabbing effort for the 2004 season. Any proposals developed by this committee will be forwarded to the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for consideration prior to implementation.

The committee will elect the Chairman and Vice-chairman as well as seek nominations to fill membership vacancies.

This meeting is open to the public and all interested persons are invited to attend. PRFC does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities; therefore, if you are in need of reasonable accommodations due to a disability, please call (804) 224-7148 or (800) 266-3904 no later than three work days prior to the meeting date and identify your needs.



Potomac River Fisheries Commission Meeting
Posted September 16, 2003


COLONIAL BEACH, VA — The Potomac River Fisheries Commission postpones its September 18, 2003 meeting due to impending severe weather. The meeting has been rescheduled for Friday, September 26, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. in the hearing room of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission Building, 222 Taylor Street, Colonial Beach, Virginia. The agenda remains unchanged.

Please visit our website www.prfc.us for updated information. You may call our office (804) 224-7148 if you have questions.



Potomac River Fisheries Commission Meeting
Posted September 4, 2003


COLONIAL BEACH, VA — The Potomac River Fisheries Commission will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. in the hearing room of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission Building, 222 Taylor Street, Colonial Beach, Virginia. All interested persons are invited to attend this open public meeting.

Items on the agenda include, but are not limited to, a crab harvest report and the oyster/clam advisory committee report, which will include the committee’s recommendation for the upcoming 2003-2004 oyster season as well as recommendations to the Commission regulating proposed oyster power dredging in the Potomac River.

Other items on the agenda also include: an update from the building committee, a review of the pre-payable fine schedule and a hearing for persons failing to submit the required seafood harvest reports.

PRFC does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities; therefore, if you are in need of reasonable accommodations due to a disability, please call (804) 224-7148 at least three work days prior to the meeting date and identify your needs.



Oyster/Clam Advisory Committee Meeting
Posted July 24, 2003


COLONIAL BEACH, VA (July 24, 2003) — The Potomac River Oyster/Clam Advisory Committee, which is comprised of private citizens and industry representatives, will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2003 in the PRFC Office Hearing Room in Colonial Beach, Virginia.

Items on the agenda will include, but may not be limited to: developing a recommendation for the 2003-04 oyster season dates and times. There will also be a discussion on regulating oyster power dredging in the Potomac River.

Any recommendations developed by this committee will be forwarded to the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for consideration prior to implementation.

This meeting is open to the public and all interested persons are invited to attend. PRFC does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities; therefore, if you are in need of reasonable accommodations due to a disability, please call (804) 224-7148 or (800) 266-3904 no later than three work days prior to the meeting date and identify your needs.



Potomac River Fisheries Commission Meeting
Posted June 6, 2003



LEONARDTOWN, MD (June 6, 2003) — Vice-chairman Kenneth W. Williams, Sr., announced today that the Potomac River Fisheries Commission would hold its next regular meeting on Friday, June 20, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. in Hearing Room #14 on the first floor of the Governmental Center, 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, Maryland.

Items on the agenda include but are not limited to: a review of the crab and oyster harvest reports, an update on the 2003 oyster repletion program, consideration of a proposal to close Piney Point Hollow to clamming, a review of the ASMFC annual reports, adoption of the 2003-04 budget, and an update by the building committee.

PRFC does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities; therefore, if you are in need of reasonable accommodations due to a disability, please call (804) 224-7148 at least three workdays prior to the meeting date and identify your needs.



Oyster/Clam Advisory Committee Meeting
Posted May 8, 2003


COLONIAL BEACH, VA (May 8, 2003) — The Potomac River Oyster/Clam Advisory Committee, which is comprised of private citizens and industry representatives, will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2003 in the PRFC Office Hearing Room in Colonial Beach, Virginia.

The advisory committee will review the latest oyster harvest data and receive updates on the 2003 oyster repletion program and legislation authorizing the PRFC to regulate oyster dredging.

A presentation will be given on the proposed submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) planting in the Piney Point Hollow area of the Potomac River.

Any recommendations developed by this committee will be forwarded to the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for consideration prior to implementation.

This meeting is open to the public and all interested persons are invited to attend. PRFC does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities; therefore, if you are in need of reasonable accommodations due to a disability, please call (804) 224-7148 or (800) 266-3904 no later than five workdays prior to the meeting date and identify your needs.
 

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