Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-700. Pertaining to Crab Pots (amending 4VAC20-700-20).

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

Effective Date: March 1, 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:

The amendment eliminates the requirement that each crab pot contain cull rings of 2-5/16 inches and 2-3/16 inches.

4VAC20-700-20. Cull ring requirements.

A. Effective July 1, 2008, it It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set or fish any crab pot, in Virginia's seaside area, that does not contain at least two unobstructed cull rings of size and location within the pot, as described in this subsection, except as provided in subsections B and subsection C of this section. One cull ring shall be at least 2-5/16 inches inside diameter, and the other cull ring shall be at least 2-3/16 inches inside diameter. These cull rings shall be located one each in opposite exterior side panels of the upper chamber of the pot.

B. Effective July 1, 2008, it It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set or fish any crab pot, in any Virginia waters, except as described in subsection A of this section, that does not contain at least four two unobstructed cull rings of size and location within the pot, as described in this subsection. Two The two cull rings shall be at least 2-3/8 inches inside diameter. These cull rings and shall be located, one each, in opposite exterior side panels of the upper chamber of the pot. A third cull ring shall be at least 2-5/16 inches inside diameter, and the fourth cull ring shall be at least 2-3/16 inches inside diameter. The 2-5/16 inch and 2-3/16 inch cull rings shall be located one each in opposite exterior side panels of the upper chamber of the pot.

C. Peeler pots with a mesh size less than 1-1/2 inches shall be exempt from the cull ring requirement.