Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper (amending 4VAC20-1120-40).

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

Effective Date: May 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 establishes commercial possession limits aboard any vessel in Virginia waters for tilefish species to be 500 pounds whole weight or 455 pounds gutted weight, and for blueline tilefish to be 300 pounds whole weight or 273 pounds gutted weight.

4VAC20-1120-40. Commercial limitations.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person harvesting tilefish when commercial fishing, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, to do any of the following:

1. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia waters any amount of tilefish, in combination, species in excess of 500 pounds whole weight or 455 pounds gutted weight.

2. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia waters any amount of blueline tilefish in excess of 200 300 pounds whole weight or 273 pounds gutted weight.

3. Possess aboard any vessel any amount of golden tilefish during any in-season closure announced by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

B. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land in Virginia more than 175 pounds of grouper, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, per day when commercial fishing.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer at sea to another person or vessel any harvest of tilefish or grouper.