Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-48).

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

Effective Date: April 1, 2022.

Agency Contact: Alexa Galvan, Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Fort Monroe, VA 23551, telephone (757) 247-2069, or email alexa.galvan@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendment provides that the total allowable commercial landings of smooth dogfish shall be limited to a quota in dressed weight calculated pursuant to the Interstate Coastal Sharks Fishery Management Plan.

4VAC20-490-48. Smooth dogfish commercial quota and harvest limitations.

A. The annual commercial quota for smooth dogfish shall be 922,030 pounds in dressed weight. During each calendar year, total allowable commercial landings of smooth dogfish shall be limited to a quota in dressed weight calculated pursuant to the Interstate Coastal Sharks Fishery Management Plan.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, harvest, or possess aboard any vessel or to land in Virginia any smooth dogfish harvested from federal waters once the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries has determined and announced that 80% of the smooth dogfish coastwide quota has been harvested.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest or to land in Virginia any smooth dogfish for commercial purposes after the quota specified in subsection A of this section has been landed and announced as such.

D. Any smooth dogfish harvested from state waters or federal waters for commercial purposes shall only be sold to a federally permitted dealer.

E. It shall be unlawful for any buyer of seafood to receive any smooth dogfish harvested from federal waters once NOAA Fisheries has determined and announced that 80% of the smooth dogfish coastwide quota has been harvested.

F. It shall be unlawful for any buyer of seafood to receive any smooth dogfish after the commercial quota specified in subsection A of this section has been attained and announced as such.