Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-430. Pertaining to the Marking and Minimum Mesh Size of Gill Nets (amending 4VAC20-430-60).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2012.

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 amendment removes the provision allowing for the use of small mesh gill nets for the harvest of river herring.

4VAC20-430-60. Minimum mesh size.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set, or fish any gill net with a stretched mesh of less than 2-7/8 inches, except as provided in subsections subsection C and D of this section.

B. Mesh measurement is defined as the inside stretched distance between two knots on opposite sides of the same mesh.

C. As provided in § 28.2-305 of the Code of Virginia, mullet gill nets less than 200 yards long shall consist of a stretched mesh not less than two inches stretched measure after having been tarred. Any person utilizing a mullet gill net may not take or possess quantities of species other than mullet which comprise more than 15% of their total daily catch, in pounds.

D. From February 1 through May 31 it shall be lawful for any person to place, set and fish any drift gill net with a stretched mesh size not less than two inches, only for the harvest of river herring in the areas described in 4VAC20-430-50.