SUBJECT: Size and possession limits

Submitted by Ed Smih (71.173.105.61) from VIRGINIA on

I have just sent the following email to the commissioner of the VMRC. If you want to change the regs some representation by sport fishermen needs to take place.
I belive if every one wrote them that might have an impact also. This is his email address:

John.Bull@mrc.virginia.gov

Good Afternoon Mr. Bull.
I am writing to complain about the salt water regulations concerning size
and possession limits for Sportsmen and Commercial fisherman.
Why should a Commercial fisherman be allowed to harvest more and smaller
size species than the sportsman?
I fish the Bay and James for Flounder at least five times per season. It is
a shame to have to throw back 14 to 18.75 inch Flounder when the commercial
fisherman can keep 14" fish.
I feel this is unfair and needs to be addressed and changed.
I was told by one your very own MRC Officers that these rules were made at
monthly meetings in the Norfolk area. He agreed with us that it was not fair
and stated that the general public or Sportsmen would not come to the
meetings and voice their opinion. Could it be that these meetings are not
posted so the public would not have any knowledge of them?
I can only guess that the sport fisherman fund the VMRC though the purchase
of licenses and should be give the same rights as a commercial fisherman.
I am going to post this letter on as many fishing boards as I can find and
maybe enough sport fisherman will see it and then attend some of these
meeting. I live in South West VA. four hours away. It is not easy for me to
attend but I am sure others share the same feelings.

Respectfully

Edward W. Smith
434 258 2209