Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-30, 4VAC20-280-40).

Statutory Authority: §§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-304 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: April 1, 2011.

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:

The amendments modify recreational possession and size limits for speckled trout from December 1 through March 31. The modification decreases the possession limit to five speckled trout and allows harvest and possession of only one speckled trout, 24 inches or greater, from December 1 through March 31 for hand-line, hook-and-line, or rod-and-reel fishermen.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in length provided however, the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook-and-line, rod-and-reel, or hand-line to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater from December 1 through March 31 of any year.

B. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in length or greater than 26 inches in length.

C. D. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-280-40. Possession limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook-and-line, rod-and-reel, or hand-line to possess more than 10 speckled trout from April 1 through November 30 in any year.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook-and-line, rod-and-reel, or hand-line to possess more than five speckled trout from December 1 through March 31 in any year.

B. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than three red drum.