Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-40, 4VAC20-280-60).

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

Effective Dates: March 1, 2014, through March 31, 2014.

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.

Preamble:

The amendments close the recreational speckled trout season from March 1, 2014, through July 31, 2014.

4VAC20-280-40. Possession limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook-and-line, rod-and-reel, or hand-line to possess more than 10 speckled trout from April 1 through November 30 in any year.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook-and-line, rod-and-reel, or hand-line to possess more than five speckled trout from December 1 through March 31 in any year.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than three red drum.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout from March 1 through July 31, 2014.

4VAC20-280-60. Penalty.

A. Pursuant to § 28.2-304 of the Code of Virginia, any person violating any provision of 4VAC20-280-40 C of this emergency chapter shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. Pursuant to § 28.2-903 of the Code of Virginia, any person violating any provision of this emergency chapter other than 4VAC20-280-40 C shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this emergency chapter, other than 4VAC20-280-40 C, committed by the same person within 12 months of a prior violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.