PROPOSED RULEMAKING
FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 63 ]
Fishing; General Fishing Regulations
[40 Pa.B. 7237]
[Saturday, December 18, 2010]The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) proposes to amend Chapter 63 (relating to general fishing regulations) to read as set forth in Annex A. The Commission is publishing this proposed rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to the Fish and Boat Code) (code).
A. Effective Date
The proposed rulemaking, if approved on final-form rulemaking, will go into effect on January 1, 2012.
B. Contact Person
For further information on the proposed rulemaking, contact Wayne Melnick, Esq., P. O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, (717) 705-7810. This proposed rulemaking is available on the Commission's web site at www.fish.state.pa.us.
C. Statutory Authority
The proposed amendment to § 63.6 (relating to authorized devices for game fish, baitfish and fishbait) is published under the statutory authority of section 2102 of the code (relating to rules and regulations).
D. Purpose and Background
The proposed rulemaking is designed to improve, enhance and update the Commission's fishing regulations. The specific purpose of the proposed amendment is described in more detail under the summary of proposal.
E. Summary of Proposal
Under § 63.6, no more than two lines may be used at one time when fishing, except while ice fishing under § 63.10 (relating to ice fishing). This restriction dates back to at least the 1930s. Recently, several anglers have expressed interest in having this regulation amended to allow for the use of three lines. Because harvest is primarily controlled through the use of season, size limit and creel limit regulations, a change in the number of devices from two to three should have little effect on managing the fisheries of this Commonwealth. Any concerns about this change are likely to be social. The Commission proposes that § 63.6 be amended to read as set forth in Annex A.
F. Paperwork
The proposed rulemaking will not increase paperwork and will not create new paperwork requirements.
G. Fiscal Impact
The proposed rulemaking will not have adverse fiscal impact on the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions. The proposed rulemaking will not impose new costs on the private sector or the general public.
H. Public Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, objections or suggestions about the proposed rulemaking to the Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P. O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 within 60 days after publication of this proposed rulemaking in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted.
Comments also may be submitted electronically by com- pleting the form at www.fishandboat.com/regcomments. If an acknowledgment of electronic comments is not received by the sender within 2 working days, the comments should be retransmitted to ensure receipt. Electronic comments submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.
JOHN A. ARWAY,
Executive DirectorFiscal Note: 48A-224. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A
TITLE 58. RECREATION
PART II. FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
Subpart B. FISHING
CHAPTER 63. GENERAL FISHING REGULATIONS § 63.6. Authorized devices for game fish, baitfish and fishbait.
(a) It is unlawful to fish for game fish with more than [two] three lines of any description, whether fished by rod or by hand, at one time except while ice fishing in accordance with § 63.10 (relating to ice fishing). No more than three hooks may be attached to line used in fishing for game fish. Rods, lines and hooks shall be under the immediate control of the person using them. A fishing device shall be deemed to be under the immediate control of the person using it if, when the terminal device (hook, bait or lure) is taken by a fish, the person using the device has direct control over it and it is not connected at that point to a casting or depth placement aid such as a casting boat or downrigger. Casting or depth placement aids such as downriggers or small remote controlled boats are not prohibited by this chapter.
(b) It is unlawful to fish for baitfish with more than [two] three lines of any description, whether fished by rod or by hand, at one time with not more than three hooks attached to each line; a dip-net or minnow seine not over 4 feet square or 4 feet in diameter, and a minnow trap, with not more than two openings, which may not exceed 1 inch in diameter. Rods, lines, hooks, nets and seines used in fishing for fishbait and baitfish shall be under the immediate control of the person using the same. For the purposes of this subpart, gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) 8 inches or less in length are considered baitfish.
* * * * * (d) It is unlawful to use more than [two] three lines at any time, except while ice fishing in accordance with § 63.10, when fishing for game fish, baitfish or both.
* * * * *
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-2403. Filed for public inspection December 17, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Bulletin full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
