Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-1260. Pertaining to River Herring (adding 4VAC20-1260-10 through 4VAC20-1260-40).

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:

This regulatory action establishes a moratorium on the possession of any river herring (Alosa aestivalis or Alosa pseudoharengus) in the Commonwealth of the Virginia.

CHAPTER 1260
PERTAINING TO RIVER HERRING

4VAC20-1260-10. Purpose.

The purposes of this chapter are to rebuild the Virginia stocks of river herring and to comply with the requirements of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring.

4VAC20-1260-20. Definition.

The following term when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"River herring" means any fish of the species Alosa aestivalis or Alosa pseudoharengus.

4VAC20-1260-30. Moratorium.

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any river herring in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

4VAC20-1260-40. Penalty.

As set forth in § 28.2-903 of the Code of Virginia, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this chapter committed by the same person within 12 months of a prior violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.