TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Wildlife Resources is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act pursuant to § 2.2-4002 A 3 of the Code of Virginia when promulgating regulations regarding the management of wildlife.
Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-30. Definitions and Miscellaneous: Importation, Possession, Sale, Etc., of Animals (amending 4VAC15-30-40).
Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Public Hearing Information:
May 27, 2021 - 12:00 a.m. - Department of Wildlife Resources, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, Virginia.
Public Comment Deadline: May 10, 2021.
Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Wildlife Resources, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dwr.virginia.gov.
Summary:
The proposed amendments remove the Mexican axolotl from and add the Alabama bass to the list of predatory and undesirable species that cannot be imported, possessed, or sold within the Commonwealth without a permit.
4VAC15-30-40. Importation requirements, possession, and sale of nonnative (exotic) animals.
A. Permit required. A special permit is required and may be issued by the department, if consistent with the department's fish and wildlife management program, to import, possess, or sell those nonnative (exotic) animals listed in the following table and in 4VAC15-20-210 that the board finds and declares to be predatory or undesirable within the meaning and intent of § 29.1-542 of the Code of Virginia, in that their introduction into the Commonwealth will be detrimental to the native fish and wildlife resources of Virginia.
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AMPHIBIANS
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Order
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Family
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Genus/Species
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Common Name
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Anura
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Bufonidae
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Rhinella marina
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Cane toad*
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Pipidae
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Hymenochirus spp. Pseudohymenochiris merlini
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African dwarf frog
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Xenopus spp.
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Tongueless or African clawed frog
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Caudata
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Ambystomatidae
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All species, except Ambystoma mexicanum
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All mole salamanders, except Mexican axolotl
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BIRDS
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Order
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Family
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Genus/Species
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Common Name
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Psittaciformes
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Psittacidae
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Myiopsitta monachus
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Monk parakeet*
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Anseriformes
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Anatidae
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Cygnus olor
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Mute swan
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FISH
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Order
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Family
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Genus/Species
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Common Name
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Cypriniformes
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Catostomidae
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Catostomus microps
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Modoc sucker
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Catostomus santaanae
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Santa Ana sucker
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Catostomus warnerensis
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Warner sucker
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Ictiobus bubalus
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Smallmouth* buffalo
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I. cyprinellus
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Bigmouth* buffalo
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I. niger
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Black buffalo*
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Characidae
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Pygopristis spp.
Pygocentrus spp.
Rooseveltiella spp.
Serrasalmo spp.
Serrasalmus spp.
Taddyella spp.
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Piranhas
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Cobitidae
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Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
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Oriental weatherfish
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Cyprinidae
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Aristichyhys nobilis
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Bighead carp*
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Chrosomus saylori
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Laurel dace
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Ctenopharyngodon idella
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Grass carp or white amur
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Cyprinella caerulea
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Blue shiner
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Cyprinella formosa
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Beautiful shiner
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Cyprinella lutrensis
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Red shiner
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Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
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Silver carp*
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Mylopharyngodom piceus
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Black carp*
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Notropis albizonatus
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Palezone shiner
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Notropis cahabae
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Cahaba shiner
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Notropis girardi
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Arkansas River shiner
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Notropis mekistocholas
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Cape Fear shiner
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Notropis simus pecosensis
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Pecos bluntnose shiner
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Notropis topeka (= tristis)
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Topeka shiner
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Phoxinus cumberlandensis
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Blackside dace
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Rhinichthys osculus lethoporus
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Independence Valley speckled dace
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Rhinichthys osculus nevadensis
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Ash Meadows speckled dace
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Rhinichthys osculus oligoporus
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Clover Valley speckled dace
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Rhinichthys osculus ssp.
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Foskett speckled dace
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Rhinichthys osculus thermalis
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Kendall Warm Springs dace
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Scardinius erythrophthalmus
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Rudd
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Tinca tinca
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Tench*
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Cyprinodontiformes
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Poeciliidae
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Gambusia gaigei
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Big Bend gambusia
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Gambusia georgei
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San Marcos gambusia
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Gambusia heterochir
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Clear Creek gambusia
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Gambusia nobilis
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Pecos gambusia
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Peociliopsis occidentalis
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Gila topminnow
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Gasterosteiformes
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Gasterosteidae
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Gasterosteus aculeatus williamsoni
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Unarmored threespine stickleback
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Gobiesociformes
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Gobiidae
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Proterorhinus marmoratus
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Tubenose goby
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Neogobius melanostomus
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Round goby
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Perciformes
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Centrarchidae
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Micropterus henshalli
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Alabama bass
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Channidae
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Channa spp.
Parachanna spp.
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Snakeheads
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Cichlidae
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Tilapia spp.
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Tilapia
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Gymnocephalus cernuum
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Ruffe*
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Elassomatidae
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Elassoma alabamae
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Spring pygmy sunfish
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Percidae
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Crystallaria cincotta
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Diamond darter
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Etheostoma chermocki
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Vermilion darter
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Etheostoma boschungi
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Slackwater darter
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Etheostoma chienense
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Relict darter
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Etheostoma etowahae
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Etowah darter
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Etheostoma fonticola
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Fountain darter
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Etheostoma moorei
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Yellowcheek darter
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Etheostoma nianguae
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Niangua darter
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Etheostoma nuchale
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Watercress darter
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Etheostoma okaloosae
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Okaloosa darter
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Etheostoma phytophilum
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Rush darter
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Etheostoma rubrum
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Bayou darter
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Etheostoma scotti
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Cherokee darter
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Etheostoma sp.
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Bluemask (= jewel) darter
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Etheostoma susanae
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Cumberland darter
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Etheostoma wapiti
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Boulder darter
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Percina antesella
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Amber darter
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Percina aurolineata
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Goldline darter
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Percina jenkinsi
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Conasauga logperch
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Percina pantherina
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Leopard darter
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Percina tanasi
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Snail darter
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Scorpaeniformes
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Cottidae
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Cottus sp.
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Grotto sculpin
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Cottus paulus (= pygmaeus)
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Pygmy sculpin
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Siluriformes
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Clariidae
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All species
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Air-breathing catfish
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Ictaluridae
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Noturus baileyi
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Smoky madtom
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Noturus crypticus
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Chucky madtom
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Noturus placidus
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Neosho madtom
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Noturus stanauli
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Pygmy madtom
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Noturus trautmani
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Scioto madtom
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Synbranchiformes
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Synbranchidae
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Monopterus albus
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Swamp eel
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MAMMALS
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Order
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Family
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Genus/Species
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Common Name
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Artiodactyla
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Suidae
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All Species
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Pigs or Hogs*
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Cervidae
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All Species
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Deer*
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Carnivora
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Canidae
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All Species
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Wild Dogs,* Wolves, Coyotes or Coyote hybrids, Jackals and Foxes
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Ursidae
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All Species
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Bears*
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Procyonidae
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All Species
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Raccoons and* Relatives
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Mustelidae
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All Species
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Weasels, Badgers,* Skunks and Otters
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(except Mustela putorius furo)
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Ferret
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Viverridae
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All Species
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Civets, Genets,* Lingsangs, Mongooses, and Fossas
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Herpestidae
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All Species
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Mongooses*
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Hyaenidae
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All Species
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Hyenas and Aardwolves*
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Felidae
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All Species
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Cats*
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Chiroptera
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All Species
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Bats*
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Lagomorpha
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Lepridae
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Brachylagus idahoensis
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Pygmy rabbit
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Lepus europeaeous
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European hare
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Oryctolagus cuniculus
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European rabbit
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Sylvilagus bachmani riparius
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Riparian brush rabbit
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Sylvilagus palustris hefneri
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Lower Keys marsh rabbit
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Rodentia
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All species native to Africa
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All species native to Africa
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Dipodidae
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Zapus hudsonius preblei
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Preble's meadow jumping mouse
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Muridae
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Microtus californicus scirpensis
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Amargosa vole
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Microtus mexicanus hualpaiensis
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Hualapai Mexican vole
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Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli
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Florida salt marsh vole
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Neotoma floridana smalli
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Key Largo woodrat
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Neotoma fuscipes riparia
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Riparian (= San Joaquin Valley) woodrat
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Oryzomys palustris natator
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Rice rat
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Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola
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Key Largo cotton mouse
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Peromyscus polionotus allophrys
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Choctawhatchee beach mouse
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Peromyscus polionotus ammobates
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Alabama beach mouse
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Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris
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Southeastern beach mouse
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Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis
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St. Andrew beach mouse
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Peromyscus polionotus phasma
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Anastasia Island beach mouse
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Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis
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Perdido Key beach mouse
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Reithrodontomys raviventris
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Salt marsh harvest mouse
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Heteromyidae
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Dipodomys heermanni morroensis
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Morro Bay kangaroo rat
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Dipodomys ingens
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Giant kangaroo rat
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Dipodomys merriami parvus
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San Bernadino Merriam's kangaroo rat
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Dipodomys nitratoides exilis
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Fresno kangaroo rat
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Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides
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Tipton kangaroo rat
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Dipodomys stephensi (including D. cascus)
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Stephens' kangaroo rat
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Perognathus longimembris pacificus
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Pacific pocket mouse
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Sciuridae
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Cynomys spp.
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Prairie dogs
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Spermophilus brunneus brunneus
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Northern Idaho ground squirrel
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Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis
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Mount Graham red squirrel
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Soricomorpha
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Soricidae
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Sorex ornatus relictus
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Buena Vista Lake ornate shrew
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MOLLUSKS
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Order
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Family
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Genus/Species
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Common Name
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Neotaenioglossa
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Hydrobiidae
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Potamopyrgus antipodarum
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New Zealand mudsnail
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Veneroida
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Dreissenidae
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Dreissena bugensis
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Quagga mussel
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Dreissena polymorpha
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Zebra mussel
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REPTILES
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Order
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Family
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Genus/Species
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Common Name
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Crocodilia
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Alligatoridae
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All species
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Alligators, caimans*
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Crocodylidae
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All species
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Crocodiles*
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Gavialidae
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All species
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Gavials*
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Squamata
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Colubridae
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Boiga irregularis
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Brown tree snake*
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CRUSTACEANS
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Order
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Family
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Genus/Species
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Common Name
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Decapoda
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Cambaridae
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Cambarus aculabrum
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Cave crayfish
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Cambarus zophonastes
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Cave crayfish
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Orconectes rusticus
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Rusty crayfish
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Orconectes shoupi
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Nashville crayfish
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Pacifastacus fortis
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Shasta crayfish
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Procambarus sp.
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Marbled crayfish
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Parastacidae
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Cherax spp.
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Australian crayfish
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Varunidea
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Eriocheir sinensis
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Chinese mitten crab
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B. Temporary possession permit for certain animals. Notwithstanding the permitting requirements of subsection A of this section, a person, company, or corporation possessing any nonnative (exotic) animal, designated with an asterisk (*) in subsection A of this section, prior to July 1, 1992, must declare such possession in writing to the department by January 1, 1993. This written declaration shall serve as a permit for possession only, is not transferable, and must be renewed every five years. This written declaration must include species name, common name, number of individuals, date or dates acquired, sex (if possible), estimated age, height or length, and other characteristics such as bands and band numbers, tattoos, registration numbers, coloration, and specific markings. Possession transfer will require a new permit according to the requirements of this subsection.
C. Exception for certain monk parakeets. A permit is not required for monk parakeets (quakers) that have been captive bred and are closed-banded with a seamless band.
D. Exception for parts or products. A permit is not required for parts or products of those nonnative (exotic) animals listed in subsection A of this section that may be used for personal use, in the manufacture of products, or used in scientific research, provided that such parts or products be packaged outside the Commonwealth by any person, company, or corporation duly licensed by the state in which the parts originate. Such packages may be transported into the Commonwealth, consistent with other state laws and regulations, so long as the original package remains unbroken, unopened and intact until its point of destination is reached. Documentation concerning the type and cost of the animal parts ordered, the purpose and date of the order, point and date of shipping, and date of receiving shall be kept by the person, business, or institution ordering such nonnative (exotic) animal parts. Such documentation shall be open to inspection by a representative of the Department of Wildlife Resources.
E. Exception for prairie dogs. The effective date of listing of prairie dogs under subsection A of this section shall be January 1, 1998. Prairie dogs possessed in captivity in Virginia on December 31, 1997, may be maintained in captivity until the animals' deaths, but they may not be sold on or after January 1, 1998, without a permit.
F. Exception for snakehead fish. Anglers may legally harvest snakehead fish of the family Channidae, provided that they immediately kill such fish and that they notify the department, as soon as practicable, of such actions.
G. Exception for feral hogs. Anyone may legally trap feral hogs with written permission of the landowner, provided that any trapped hogs are not removed from the trap site alive and are killed immediately.
H. Exception for grass carp. Anglers may legally harvest grass carp of the family Cyprinidae only from public waters of the Commonwealth. It is unlawful to harvest grass carp from any public inland lake or reservoir. Anglers taking grass carp must ensure that harvested grass carp are dead.
I. Exception for Alabama bass. Anglers may possess live Alabama bass of the family Centrarchidae only on the body of water from which the fish were captured, provided that the angler does not live transport these fish outside of the body of water from which the fish were captured. Anglers may only release live Alabama bass back into the body of water from which the fish were captured. Anglers may legally harvest Alabama bass provided that the anglers ensure all harvested Alabama bass are dead.
J. All other nonnative (exotic) animals. All other nonnative (exotic) animals not listed in subsection A of this section may be possessed, purchased, and sold; provided, that such animals shall be subject to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including those that apply to threatened/endangered species, and further provided, that such animals shall not be liberated within the Commonwealth.
VA.R. Doc. No. R21-6736; Filed March 31, 2021