Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-110. Pertaining to Lobsters (amending 4VAC20-110-15, 4VAC20-110-20, 4VAC20-110-30, 4VAC20-110-40).

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

Effective Date: September 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 amendments establish season and minimum size restrictions for lobsters harvested and landed in Virginia and require mandatory V-notching of berried (egg bearing) females.

4VAC20-110-15. Definitions.

"Berried female" means a female lobster bearing eggs attached to the abdominal appendages.

"Carapace" means the unsegmented body shell of the American lobster.

"Carapace length" means the straight line measurement from the rear of the eye socket parallel to the center line of the carapace to the posterior edge of the carapace.

"Ghost panel" means a panel, or other mechanism, designed to allow for the escapement of lobster after a period of time if the trap has been abandoned or lost.

"Land" or "landing" means to (i) enter port with finfish, shellfish, crustaceans, or other marine seafood on board any boat or vessel; (ii) begin offloading finfish, shellfish, crustaceans, or other marine seafood; or (iii) offload finfish, shellfish, crustaceans, or other marine seafood.

"Lobster" means any crustacean of the species Homarus americanus.

"V-notched female lobster" means any female lobster bearing a V-shaped notch (i.e., a straight-sided triangular cut without setal hairs, at least 1/4 inch in depth and not greater than 1/2 inch in depth and tapering to a sharp point) in the flipper next to the right of the center flipper as viewed from the rear of the female lobster. V-notched female lobster also means any female that is mutilated in a manner that could hide, obscure, or obliterate such a mark.

4VAC20-110-20. Minimum and maximum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess for a period longer than is necessary for immediate measurement any lobster less than 3-3/8 3-17/32 inches in carapace length or any female lobster greater than 5-1/2 5-1/4 inches in carapace length, except for scientific purposes and with the express written consent of the Commissioner of Marine Resources.

4VAC20-110-30. Possession prohibitions.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess for a period longer than is necessary for immediate determination of the presence of eggs, any berried female egg-bearing lobster, except for scientific purposes and with the express written consent of the Commissioner of Marine Resources.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess for a period longer than is necessary for immediate determination of unnatural removal of eggs, a lobster that has been scrubbed or has in any manner other than natural hatching had the eggs removed therefrom.

C. It shall be unlawful to possess a V-notched female lobster. The prohibition on possession of a V-notched female lobster applies to all persons, including but not limited to fishermen, dealers, shippers, and restaurants.

D. It shall be unlawful to possess a lobster that has an outer shell that has been speared.

E. It shall be unlawful to land lobster from February 1 through March 31.

4VAC20-110-40. Marking of lobsters.

It shall be unlawful for any person to notch, cut, scrape, pierce, or in any like manner provide for the marking of lobster, except for scientific purposes and with the express written consent of the Commissioner of Marine Resources. Any berried female harvested in or from Virginia waters shall be V-notched before being returned to the sea immediately.