Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-340. Fish: Seines and Nets (amending 4VAC15-340-40, 4VAC15-340-60).

Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information:

July 8, 2014 - 9 a.m. - Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4000 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230

Public Comment Deadline: June 20, 2014.

Agency Contact: Phil Smith, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4010 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email phil.smith@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The proposed amendments prohibit the use of seines, traps, and nets in certain waters and replace the obsolete nomenclature "game wardens" with "conservation police officers."

4VAC15-340-40. Dip nets; generally.

A. Authorization to take fish with dip nets. A county dip net permit shall authorize the holder to take shad, herring, mullet, and suckers (daily creel (possession) limits for shad and herring are found in 4VAC15-320-25, there is no limit for mullet, and subsection D of this section provides limits for suckers), in the county named on the face of the permit with a dip net in inland waters, except where otherwise prohibited by local legislation or by the sections appearing in this chapter.

B. Persons required to have permit; inspection by game wardens conservation police officers. A dip net permit, or valid fishing license, shall be required for all persons using or assisting in the use of a dip net and permits, or licenses, shall be carried at all times while using such nets and shall be subject to inspection by game wardens conservation police officers.

C. Release of certain fish netted. All fish, except shad, herring, mullet, suckers and carp, when taken with a dip net shall be returned to the water alive with as little injury as possible.

D. Special provisions applicable only to suckers. The following special provisions shall apply only to the taking of suckers, with a dip net:

1. Not more than 20 may be taken by any person in one day;

2. The open season for taking same with a dip net shall be from February 15 through May 15, both dates inclusive; and

3. Dip nets for taking such fish shall not be more than six feet square.

4VAC15-340-60. Seines, traps, and nets prohibited in certain areas.

A. It shall be unlawful to use seines and nets of any kind for the taking of fish from the public waters of the Roanoke (Staunton) and Dan Rivers in Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, and Pittsylvania Counties, and in the City of Danville; provided, however, this section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of hand-landing nets for the landing of fish legally hooked or the taking of fish from these waters pursuant to the provisions of 4VAC15-360.

B. In Lick Creek and tributaries in Smyth and Bland Counties, in Bear Creek and Hungry Mother Creek above Hungry Mother Lake in Smyth County, and in Laurel Creek and tributaries upstream of Highway 16 bridge in Tazewell and Bland Counties, in Susong Branch and Mumpower Creek in Washington County and the City of Bristol, and in Timbertree Branch in Scott County, it shall be unlawful to use seines, nets, or traps; provided, however, this section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of hand-landing nets for the landing of fish legally hooked.