pa-56-37-1323: General fishing regulations; measuring fish

Summary

The Fish and Boat Commission (commission) amends Chapter 63 (relating to general fishing regulations) to add § 63.58 (relating to measuring fish). The commission is publishing this final-form rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to Fish and Boat Code). This final-form rulemaking provides a standard definition for how fish should be measured in this Commonwealth. A. Effective Date This final-form rulemaking will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin . B. Contact Person For further information on this final-form rulemaking, contact Robert J. Schefter, Esq., P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, (717) 705-7810. This final-form rulemaking is available on the commission's website at pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat. C. Statutory Authority The amendment to Chapter 63 is published under the statutory authority of 30 Pa.C.S. §§ 322, 741, 901 and 2102. D. Purpose and Background Per Addendum III to Amendment 7 of the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic striped bass, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission requires that states define total length for the purposes of measuring Atlantic striped bass to determine compliance with size limits associated with both commercial and recreational fisheries. Standardization is needed, as different measurement methods can yield different results, potentially leading to enforcement complications. The commission advises anglers how to measure fish in the Pennsylvania Fishing Summary book; however,...

The agency’s own summary, as published.