4VAC20-320-10: Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to cap the harvest of black drum. A management area with time restrictions is also designated to reduce conflicts between recreational and commercial fishermen that concentrate on drum fishing grounds in the Lower Bay. The chapter also provides for the collection of management information for the black drum commercial fishery. Additionally, a minimum size limit is imposed to provide protection of black drum until they reach sexual maturity. Limited entry in the commercial fishery is implemented to prevent overcapitalization and to improve economic benefits to the recent full-time participants in the future.