Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-270. Pertaining to Crabbing (amending 4VAC20-270-40).

Statutory Authority: § 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: February 1, 2009.

Agency Contact: Jane Warren, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, FAX (757) 247-2002, or email betty.warren@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

This amendment allows the setting of fish pots in Virginia waters located upriver of the following boundary from March 12 through March 16: In the Potomac River the boundary line shall be the Route 301 bridge that extends from Newberg, Maryland, to Dahlgren, Virginia.

4VAC20-270-40. Season limits.

A. The lawful season for the harvest of male crabs shall be March 17, 2008, through November 30, 2008. The lawful season for the harvest of female crabs shall be March 17, 2008, through October 26, 2008.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest crabs or to possess crabs on board a vessel, except during the lawful season, as described in subsection A of this section.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to place, set, fish or leave any hard crab pot or peeler crab pot in any tidal waters of Virginia from December 1, 2008, through March 16, 2009.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to place, set, fish or leave any fish pot in any tidal waters from March 12 through March 16, except as provided in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection.

1. It shall be lawful for any person to place, set, or fish any fish pot in those Virginia waters located upriver of the following boundary lines:

a. In the James River the boundary shall be a line connecting Hog Point and the downstream point at the mouth of College Creek.

b. In the York River the boundary lines shall be the Route 33 bridges at West Point.

c. In the Rappahannock River the boundary line shall be the Route 360 bridge at Tappahannock.

d. In the Potomac River the boundary line shall be the Route 301 bridge that extends from Newberg, Maryland, to Dahlgren, Virginia.

2. This subsection shall not apply to lawful eel pots as described in 4VAC20-500-50.