Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-1210. Pertaining to a Blue Crab Sanctuary (adding 4VAC20-1210-10, 4VAC20-1210-20, 4VAC20-1210-30).

Statutory Authority: §§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Dates: March 26, 2009, through April 24, 2009.

Agency Contact: Jane Warren, 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 emergency regulation establishes a closed season for the harvest of crabs in the area described and defined in § 28.2-709 of the Code of Virginia as a blue crab sanctuary. This chapter makes it unlawful for any person to take or catch crabs for commercial purpose from the blue crab sanctuary area from May 1 through September 15.

CHAPTER 1210
PERTAINING TO A BLUE CRAB SANCTUARY

4VAC20-1210-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this emergency chapter is to establish a different closed season for the harvest of crabs for commercial purposes in that area described by § 28.2-709 of the Code of Virginia as a blue crab sanctuary. Section 28.2-709 authorizes the commission to establish alternative seasons for the harvest of crabs in this sanctuary, that is otherwise closed year round.

4VAC20-1210-20. Closed season.

A. The limits of the blue crab sanctuary area are defined as follows: beginning at the point of origin of the center line of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel facility where such facility commences in the City of Norfolk, Virginia, and following the shoreline in a general easterly direction, and also extending 200' out from the mean low-water mark of such shoreline into the Chesapeake Bay, to Harrison’s fishing pier, Ocean View, and thence in a general northerly direction to Thimble Shoal Lighthouse; thence running in approximately a northeasterly direction to Cape Charles Lighthouse, located on Smith Island; and thence in approximately a southwestern direction to Cape Henry Lighthouse, and bounded by the shoreline; and thence following the shoreline in a general westerly direction back to the point of beginning.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to take or catch crabs for commercial purposes from the area described in subsection A of this section, only from May 1 through September 15.

4VAC20-1210-30. Penalty.

As set forth in § 28.2-709 of the Code of Virginia, a violation of this chapter is a Class 3 misdemeanor.