Title of Regulation: 1VAC80-20. Surviving Spouses of Service Members Killed in Action Real Property Tax Exemption (adding 1VAC80-20-10 through 1VAC80-20-100).

Statutory Authority: § 58.1-3219.11 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: August 29, 2018.

Agency Contact: Carrie Ann Alford, Director of Policy and Planning, Department of Veterans Services, 101 North 14th Street, 17th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 225-4716, or email carrieann.alford@dvs.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulation establishes the requirements of the application process and implementation of the real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of active duty service members killed in action or who died of wounds sustained in action as designated by the U.S. Department of Defense.

CHAPTER 20
SURVIVING SPOUSES OF SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN ACTION REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

1VAC80-20-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services.

"Department" means the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

"Dwelling" means the single structure, including any permanent attachments thereto, that is the principal place of residence of the qualifying surviving spouse.

"Exemption" means the exemption from real property taxes authorized by subdivision (a) of Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia and § 58.1-3219.9 of the Code of Virginia.

"Surviving spouse" means a spouse (i) of any member of the armed forces of the United States who was killed in action as determined by the U.S. Department of Defense or (ii) of any member of the armed forces of the United States who died of wounds as determined by the U.S. Department of Defense. The surviving spouse must be able to show that the surviving spouse was married to the qualifying service member at the time of the service member's death.

"Real property" means land and anything growing on, attached to, or erected on it, excluding anything that may be severed without injury to the land, and the dwelling occupied by the qualified surviving spouse.

1VAC80-20-20. Real property exempt from taxation.

A. The following is exempt from taxation: the dwelling that is the principal residence of a qualified surviving spouse, plus up to one acre of land, or more than one acre if a given locality has exempted such larger acreage pursuant to § 58.1-3210 of the Code of Virginia (exemption for elderly and handicapped). The exemption extends to real property improvements other than a dwelling, including the land upon which such improvements are situated, so long as the principal use of the improvement is (i) to house or cover motor vehicles or household goods and other personal effects as classified in subdivision A 14 of § 58.1-3503 of the Code of Virginia and as listed in § 58.1-3504 of the Code of Virginia and (ii) for other than a business purpose.

B. If the value of a dwelling is in excess of the average assessed value, in the locality in which it is located, as described in this subsection, then only that portion of the assessed value in excess of the average assessed value shall be subject to real property taxes, and the portion of the assessed value that is not in excess of the average assessed value shall be exempt from real property taxes.

C. Manufactured homes, as defined in § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, whether or not the wheels and other equipment previously used for mobility have been removed, shall be exempt after the qualifying surviving spouse has titled the home in the Commonwealth and shown proof of ownership. Sections 58.1-3219.5 and 58.1-3219.9 of the Code of Virginia are the only instances when manufactured homes may be classified as real property. If the surviving spouse does not own the land on which the manufactured home is located, then the land is not exempt. The spouse must meet all other provisions of § 58.1-3219.9.

1VAC80-20-30. Full exemption; joint ownership trusts.

A. For purposes of this exemption, the full exemption is authorized when real property of any surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces killed in action is held in one of the following trusts: (i) held by a surviving spouse as a tenant for life, (ii) held in a revocable inter vivos trust over which the surviving spouse holds the power of revocation, or (iii) held in an irrevocable trust under which the surviving spouse possesses a life estate or enjoys a continuing right of use or support.

B. The exemption does not apply to any other forms of trust or any interest held under a leasehold or term of years.

1VAC80-20-40. Partial exemptions.

If the qualified surviving spouse acquires the property after January 1, 2015, then the exemption shall begin on the date of acquisition, and the previous owner may be entitled to a refund for a pro rata portion of real property taxes paid pursuant to § 58.1-3360 of the Code of Virginia.

1VAC80-20-50. Surviving spouse exemption.

The surviving spouse shall qualify for the exemption, so long as:

1. The death of the qualified service member occurs in combat;

2. The surviving spouse was married to the qualified service member at the time of the qualified service member's death; and

3. The surviving spouse does not remarry.

1VAC80-20-60. Proration when not all owners qualify for the exemption.

In the event that the primary residence is jointly owned by two or more individuals, not all of whom qualify for the exemption pursuant to subsection A or B of § 58.1-3219.9 of the Code of Virginia, and no person is entitled to the exemption under this section by virtue of holding the property in any of the three ways set forth in subsection D of § 58.1-3219.9 of the Code of Virginia, then the exemption shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption or deferral by a fraction that has as a numerator the percentage of ownership interest in the dwelling held by all such joint owners who qualify for the exemption pursuant to subsections A and B of § 58.1-3219.9, and as a denominator, 100%.

1VAC80-20-70. Cooperative associations.

The exemption does not apply to property owned by a cooperative association or any other form of ownership in which the qualified surviving spouse does not actually own the real property other than the trusts detailed in 1VAC80-20-30.

1VAC80-20-80. Qualified surviving spouses residing in hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes, or other care facilities.

If the qualified surviving spouse is residing in a hospital, nursing home, convalescent home, or other facility for physical or mental care for an extended period of time, the exemption will continue on the property so long as such real estate is not used by or leased to others for consideration.

1VAC80-20-90. Application.

A. A surviving spouse, pursuant to § 58.1-3219.9 of the Code of Virginia, claiming the real property tax exemption shall file with the Commissioner of the Revenue, or other assessing official, in the surviving spouse's respective locality:

1. A DD-1300 death certification, issued by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), or its successor agency, to confirm date of death and indicating that the service member was killed in action as determined by the DOD. For purposes of this section, such determination of "killed in action" includes a determination by the DOD of "died of wounds received in action";

2. An affidavit or application on a form provided by the locality that:

a. Sets forth the name of the deceased service member and the name of the spouse;

b. Indicates whether or not the real property is jointly owned by the two spouses; and

c. Certifies that the real property is occupied as the surviving spouse's principal place of residence;

3. Proof of residence occupancy acceptable to the applicable locality, such as a valid Virginia driver's license, or other proof of residency acceptable to the locality; and

4. A certificate of marriage from the appropriate state office of records.

B. The surviving spouse shall be required to re-file the application and notify the previous jurisdiction, required by this section only if the principal place of residence changes.

C. While there is no deadline to apply for the exemption, the Commissioner of the Revenue or assessing official may only correct and refund (without interest) the past assessments of an initially qualified applicant for no more than the current, plus up to three prior tax years after January 1, 2015.

D. No county, city, or town shall be liable for any interest on any refund due to the surviving spouse for taxes paid prior to the filing of the application required by § 58.1-3219.10 of the Code of Virginia.

E. In the determination of the exemption, no locality may implement income or asset limitations or a deadline for application.

F. The limitations and parameters laid out in this policy do not prohibit the locality's ability to require an annual confirmation of continued residence from the qualifying surviving spouse.

1VAC80-20-100. Informal requests for information; formal appeals process.

A. The commissioner will provide written guidance to, and respond to requests for information from, Commissioners of the Revenue, other assessing officials, or surviving spouses, regarding the exemption, including interpretation of the provisions of subdivision (a) of Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia and the implementing statutes. Such requests may be by phone or in writing. Request for an appeal must be in writing.

B. The commissioner does not have the authority to answer questions regarding the assessed value of any property. Such questions should be answered solely by the surviving spouse's respective Commissioner of Revenue or other assessing official.

C. A surviving spouse desiring to appeal a denial of an application for exemption by a Commissioner of the Revenue or other assessing official shall send a written request for appeal and the document from the surviving spouse's respective Commissioner of Revenue or other assessing official denying the surviving spouse's application:

1. Via email to john.newby@dvs.virginia.gov; carrieann.alford@dvs.virginia.gov with a subject line that states ATTN: Tax Exemption – APPEAL; or

2. Via U.S. mail or delivery to Commissioner, Virginia Department of Veterans Services, ATTN: Tax Exemption – APPEAL, 101 North 14th Street, 17th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.

D. The commissioner may conduct hearings telephonically, by video conferencing means, or if the commissioner determines it necessary, in person at the department's headquarters in Richmond. The appeal shall be limited to issues involving the tax exemption eligibility criteria. The commissioner is not authorized to hear or decide appeals regarding a dispute over a property's assessed value.

E. In advance of any hearing, both the surviving spouse and the Commissioner of the Revenue, or other assessing official, shall be provided (i) reasonable notice of the time, date, and location of the hearing; (ii) the right to appear in person or by counsel, or other qualified representative, before the agency or its subordinates for the presentation of factual data, argument, or proof in connection with any case; and (iii) notice of all facts or information in the possession of the Department of Veterans Services that could be relied upon in making a decision.

F. The commissioner shall render a decision within 90 days from the date of the hearing or from a later date agreed to by the surviving spouse and the commissioner. If the commissioner does not render a decision within 90 days, the surviving spouse may provide written notice to the commissioner that a decision is due. If no decision is made within 30 days from the commissioner's receipt of the notice, the decision shall be deemed to be in favor of the surviving spouse.

G. The final decision by the commissioner shall be mailed to all named parties.

H. A decision of the commissioner may be appealed by either party to the circuit court in the locality in which the surviving spouse resides.

I. The burden shall be upon the party complaining of the commissioner's decision to designate and demonstrate an error of law subject to review by the circuit court. Such issues of law include (i) accordance with constitutional right, power, privilege, or immunity; (ii) compliance with statutory authority, jurisdiction limitations, or right as provided in the basic laws as to subject matter and the factual showing respecting entitlement in connection with case decisions; (iii) observance of required procedure where any failure therein is not mere harmless error; and (iv) the substantiality of the evidentiary support for findings of fact. Any necessary facts in controversy shall be determined by the court upon the basis of the agency file, minutes, and records of its proceedings, augmented, if need be, by the agency pursuant to order of the court or supplemented by any allowable and necessary proofs adduced in court, except that the function of the court shall be to determine only whether the result reached by the agency could reasonably be said, on all such proofs, to be within the scope of the legal authority of the agency. The court shall take due account of the presumption of official regularity, the experience and specialized competence of the agency, and the purposes of the basic law under which the agency has acted.

Titles of Regulations: 2VAC5-111. Public and Private Animal Shelters.

2VAC5-150. Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of Companion Animals.

Contact Information: Dr. Kathryn MacDonald, Program Manager, Office of Animal Care and Emergency Response, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-2483, or email kathryn.macdonald@vdacs.virginia.gov.

FORMS (2VAC5-111)

Animal Shelter Inspection Form, VDACS AC-10 (rev. 8/2017)

Animal Shelter Inspection Form, VDACS AC-10 (rev. 7/2018)

FORMS (2VAC5-150)

Animal Shelter Inspection Form, VDACS AC-10 (rev. 8/2017)

Animal Shelter Inspection Form, VDACS AC-10 (rev. 7/2018)

Titles of Regulations: 2VAC5-111. Public and Private Animal Shelters.

2VAC5-150. Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of Companion Animals.

Contact Information: Dr. Kathryn MacDonald, Program Manager, Office of Animal Care and Emergency Response, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-2483, or email kathryn.macdonald@vdacs.virginia.gov.

FORMS (2VAC5-111)

Animal Shelter Inspection Form, VDACS AC-10 (rev. 8/2017)

Animal Shelter Inspection Form, VDACS AC-10 (rev. 7/2018)

FORMS (2VAC5-150)

Animal Shelter Inspection Form, VDACS AC-10 (rev. 8/2017)

Animal Shelter Inspection Form, VDACS AC-10 (rev. 7/2018)

Title of Regulation: 3VAC5-10. Procedural Rules for the Conduct of Hearings before the Board and its Hearing Officers (amending 3VAC5-10-150).

Statutory Authority: §§ 4.1-103 and 4.1-111 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearings are scheduled.

Public Comment Deadline: October 17, 2018.

Effective Date: November 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: LaTonya D. Hucks, Legal Liaison, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 2901 Hermitage Road, Richmond, VA 23220, telephone (804) 213-4698, FAX (804) 213-4574, or email latonya.hucks@abc.virginia.gov.

Basis: Section 4.1-101 of the Code of Virginia establishes the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.

Section 4.1-103 of the Code of Virginia enumerates the powers of the board, which include the authority to adopt regulations and to do all acts necessary or advisable to carry out the purposes of Title 4.1 of the Code of Virginia. Subdivision 7 of § 4.1-103 states the board may delegate or assign any duty or task to be performed by the authority to any officer or employee of the authority. Subdivision 24 of § 4.1-103 permits the board to promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act and § 4.1-111 of the Code of Virginia.

Section 4.1-111 of the Code of Virginia provides the board with the authority to adopt reasonable regulations that it deems reasonable to carry out the provisions of Title 4.1 and to amend or repeal such regulations.

Purpose: The purpose of this regulatory action is to accommodate the new part-time board. As the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control transitions into an authority, it was necessary to make amendments to the regulations dealing with procedural rules so as to make the process more efficient and to not overburden the new part-time board. Approvals that were once subject to board approval have been delegated to the chief hearing officer. This action does not significantly impact public health or safety; however, there is an argument to be made that the general public welfare is benefited because the new process is more efficient because the responsibility is delegated to the chief hearing officer instead of relying on the new part-time board and it also presents licensees with a process for resolving uncontested matters that is not overwhelming or intimidating.

Rationale for Using Fast-Track Rulemaking Process: The amendments are expected to be noncontroversial because they are in the licensee's favor and simplify the consent settlement process.

Substance: Approvals once subject to board approval have been delegated to the chief hearing officer thereby accommodating the new part-time board while not hampering the process for licensees.

Issues: The primary advantage of the regulatory action to the public and the agency is that it will make the process for consent settlements more efficient because it allows the board to delegate the responsibility of approving consent settlements instead of having to wait for board approval, which could delay the process as the board will meet much less frequently under the authority. There are no disadvantages to the public, the agency, or the Commonwealth. Pertinent matters to the regulated community, government officials, and the public are that consent settlements will not always have oversight from the board; however, they will be delegated to chief hearing officer, who may have more intimate knowledge of the case and the significance of the settlement terms.

Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis:

Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board) proposes to permit a designee, typically the chief hearing officer, to extend offers of consent settlement without direct approval from the Board. In addition, the Board proposes to extend the time in which the licensee may return the properly executed consent settlement with payment.

Result of Analysis. The benefits likely exceed the costs for all proposed changes.

Estimated Economic Impact. The current regulation states that "Disciplinary cases may be resolved by consent settlement if the nature of the proceeding and public interest permit. In appropriate cases, the chief hearing officer will extend an offer of consent settlement, conditioned upon approval by the board, to the licensee." As noted, Board approval is currently required for consent settlements. Such approval was feasible under the administration of a full-time Board; however, as the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) transitions into an Authority, the Board will operate on a part-time basis. Maintaining the requirement of Board approval for all consent settlements would become burdensome and unrealistic for a part-time Board, and would significantly impair the consent settlement process.

Consequently, the Board proposes to amend the regulation so that a designee of the Board, typically the chief hearing officer, can extend an offer of consent settlement without direct approval from the Board. This would be beneficial in that it prevents the delay of mutually agreed upon settlements from taking place.

The current regulation states that the licensee shall return the properly executed consent order along with the payment in full of any monetary penalty within 15 calendar days from the date of mailing by the board. The Board proposes to allow licensees up to 21 days, rather than 15, to return the executed consent order with payment. Since this is acceptable to the Board and gives affected individuals more time to decide and gather funds, it should produce a net benefit.

Businesses and Entities Affected. All 13,000 plus licensees could potentially be subject to disciplinary proceedings, and thus could be affected by the proposed amendments.¹ ABC issues: licenses for manufacturers, wholesalers and shippers of alcoholic beverages; retail licenses for the sale of alcohol at restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc.; and banquet licenses to allow persons or groups to host events such as wedding receptions, tastings or fundraisers, where alcohol is served in an unlicensed location or club premise.²

Localities Particularly Affected. The proposed amendments do not disproportionately affect particular localities.

Projected Impact on Employment. The proposed amendments do not significantly affect employment.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. The proposed amendments do not significantly affect the use and value of private property.

Real Estate Development Costs. The proposed amendments do not affect real estate development costs.

Small Businesses

Definition. Pursuant to § 2.2-4007.04 of the Code of Virginia, small business is defined as "a business entity, including its affiliates, that (i) is independently owned and operated and (ii) employs fewer than 500 full-time employees or has gross annual sales of less than $6 million."

Costs and Other Effects. The proposed amendments do not significantly affect costs for small businesses.

Alternative Method that Minimizes Adverse Impact. The proposed amendments do not adversely affect small businesses.

Adverse Impacts:

Businesses. The proposed amendments do not adversely affect businesses.

Localities. The proposed amendments do not adversely affect localities.

Other Entities. The proposed amendments do not adversely affect other entities.

_______________________________

¹Data source: Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

²See https://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/get-a-license

Agency's Response to Economic Impact Analysis: The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority concurs with the Department of Planning and Budget's economic impact analysis.

Summary:

The amendments (i) permit the chief hearing officer to extend offers of consent settlement without direct approval from the board, (ii) extend the time in which the licensee may return the properly executed consent settlement with payment, and (iii) remove the requirement that the board review or approve acceptance of consent settlement agreement.

3VAC5-10-150. Consent settlement.

A. Generally. Disciplinary cases may be resolved by consent settlement if the nature of the proceeding and public interest permit. In appropriate cases, the chief hearing officer will extend an offer of consent settlement, conditioned upon approval by the board, to the licensee. The board, or its designee, may offer to resolve disciplinary cases when the nature of the proceeding and public interest permit. In appropriate cases, the board or its designee will extend an offer for a consent settlement to the licensee.

B. Who may accept. The licensee or his attorney may accept an offer of consent settlement. If the licensee is a corporation, only an attorney or an officer, director or majority stockholder of the corporation may accept an offer of consent settlement. Settlement shall be conditioned upon approval by the board.

C. How to accept. The licensee shall return the properly executed consent order along with the payment in full of any monetary penalty within 15 no later than 21 calendar days from the date of mailing by the board. Failure to respond within the time period will result in a withdrawal of the offer by the agency and a formal hearing will be held on the date specified in the notice of hearing.

D. Effect of acceptance. Upon approval by the board, acceptance Acceptance of the consent settlement offer shall constitute an admission of the alleged violation of the A.B.C. laws or regulations, and will result in a waiver of the right to a formal hearing and the right to appeal or otherwise contest the charges. The offer of consent settlement is not negotiable; however, the licensee is not precluded from submitting an offer in compromise under 3VAC5-10-160.

E. Approval by the board. The board shall review all proposed settlements. Only after approval by the board shall a settlement be deemed final. The Board review. Prior to extending an offer of consent settlement to the licensee, the board or its designee may reject any proposed settlement which is contrary to law or policy or which, in its sole discretion, is not appropriate.

F. Record. Unaccepted offers of consent settlement will become a part of the record only after completion of the hearing process.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-20. Definitions and Miscellaneous: In General (amending 4VAC15-20-50).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.

Summary:

The amendment updates the "List of Native and Naturalized Fauna of Virginia" offered by the department to the 2018 version.

4VAC15-20-50. Definitions; "wild animal," "native animal," "naturalized animal," "nonnative (exotic) animal," and "domestic animal."

A. In accordance with § 29.1-100 of the Code of Virginia, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them by this section when used in regulations of the board:

"Native animal" means those species and subspecies of animals naturally occurring in Virginia, as included in the department's 2014 2018 "List of Native and Naturalized Fauna of Virginia," with copies available in the Richmond and regional offices of the department.

"Naturalized animal" means those species and subspecies of animals not originally native to Virginia that have established wild, self-sustaining populations, as included in the department's 2014 2018 "List of Native and Naturalized Fauna of Virginia," with copies available in the Richmond and regional offices of the department.

"Nonnative (exotic) animal" means those species and subspecies of animals not naturally occurring in Virginia, excluding domestic and naturalized species.

The following animals are defined as domestic animals:

Domestic dog (Canis familiaris), including wolf hybrids.

Domestic cat (Felis catus), including hybrids with wild felines.

Domestic horse (Equus caballus), including hybrids with Equus asinus.

Domestic ass, burro, and donkey (Equus asinus).

Domestic cattle (Bos taurus and Bos indicus).

Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) including hybrids with wild sheep.

Domestic goat (Capra hircus).

Domestic swine (Sus scrofa), including pot-bellied pig and excluding any swine that are wild or for which no claim of ownership can be made.

Llama (Lama glama).

Alpaca (Lama pacos).

Camels (Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius).

Domesticated races of hamsters (Mesocricetus spp.).

Domesticated races of mink (Mustela vison) where adults are heavier than 1.15 kilograms or their coat color can be distinguished from wild mink.

Domesticated races of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).

Domesticated races of gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Domesticated races of chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger).

Domesticated races of rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus).

Domesticated races of mice (Mus musculus).

Domesticated breeds of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. and any lineage resulting from crossbreeding recognized breeds. A list of recognized rabbit breeds is available on the department's website.

Domesticated races of chickens (Gallus).

Domesticated races of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).

Domesticated races of ducks and geese distinguishable morphologically from wild birds.

Feral pigeons (Columba domestica and Columba livia) and domesticated races of pigeons.

Domesticated races of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris).

Domesticated races of peafowl (Pavo cristatus).

"Wild animal" means any member of the animal kingdom, except domestic animals, including without limitation any native, naturalized, or nonnative (exotic) mammal, fish, bird, amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod or other invertebrate, and includes any hybrid of them, except as otherwise specified in regulations of the board, or part, product, egg, or offspring of them, or the dead body or parts of them.

B. Exception for red foxes and European rabbits. Domesticated red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) having coat colors distinguishable from wild red foxes and wild European rabbits possessed in captivity on July 1, 2017, may be maintained in captivity until the animal dies, but the animal may not be bred or sold without a permit from the department. Persons possessing domesticated red foxes or European rabbits without a permit from the department must declare such possession in writing to the department by January 1, 2018. This written declaration must include the number of individual animals in possession and date acquired, sex, estimated age, coloration, and a photograph of each fox or European rabbit. This written declaration shall (i) serve as a permit for possession only, (ii) is not transferable, and (iii) must be renewed every five years.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (4VAC15-20)

List of Native and Naturalized Fauna of Virginia, March 2012, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

List of Native and Naturalized Fauna of Virginia, 2018, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

Federal Endangered and Threatened Animal Species as of August 4, 2016

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-20. Definitions and Miscellaneous: In General (amending 4VAC15-20-190).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments (i) add waters with the special trout fishing provisions described in 4VAC14-330-160 to the category "designated stocked trout waters" so that a trout license is required to fish in such waters and (ii) correct cross references for fee fishing waters and urban fishing waters.

4VAC15-20-190. Definitions; "designated stocked trout waters."

When used in regulations of the board, "designated stocked trout waters" will include those waters that are stocked with harvestable-sized trout and are listed by the director in the annual Trout Stocking Plan. These waters will only be considered designated stocked trout waters from October 1 through June 15, both dates inclusive, except for fee fishing waters covered by 4VAC15-320-10 et seq. 4VAC15-320-120, waters covered by 4VAC15-330-160, and urban fishing waters covered by 4VAC15-330-20 et seq 4VAC15-330-200. Designated stocked trout waters are either posted by the department with appropriate "stocked trout waters" signs or are posted as fee fishing areas under 4VAC15-320-10 et seq. 4VAC15-320-120 or waters under 4VAC15-330-160.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-320. Fish: Fishing Generally (amending 4VAC15-320-25).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments (i) remove the size limit on spotted and largemouth bass and increase the size limit for smallmouth bass for Claytor Lake; (ii) impose a 20-inch minimum size limit for smallmouth bass and a one fish per day creel limit for trophy smallmouth bass in the Levisa Fork River in Buchanan County; (iii) change the minimum length limit from October 1 to May 31 for striped bass for Buggs Island (Kerr) Reservoir, Staunton River to Leesville Dam, and Dan River to Union Street Dam to 20 inches; (iv) for September 16 through June 30, set the minimum size limit at 20 inches and the creel limit as two fish per day and for July 1 through September 15 remove the size limit and set the creel limit to four fish per day for striped bass for Claytor Lake and its tributaries; (v) set a 14-inch minimum length limit and a 10 fish per day creel limit for white bass for Buggs Island (Kerr) Reservoir, Staunton River to Leesville Dam, and Dan River to Union Street Dam; (vi) establish a nine-inch minimum length limit for crappie for Buggs Island (Kerr), Briery Creek, and Sandy River Reservoirs; (vii) revise the current creel limit for rock bass to be 25 per day in aggregate with Roanoke bass, revise the current creel limit for Roanoke bass to be 25 per day in aggregate with rock bass, and add the Blackwater River in Franklin County, Falling River, and Smith River to the rivers and tributaries where the daily limit is five rock bass and Roanoke bass in aggregate and the minimum length limit is eight inches; (viii) limit blue catfish greater than 32 inches harvested from Lake Gaston to one per day; and (ix) modify American shad creel and length limits to adhere to The Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Shad, which prohibits harvest of American shad in states where there is currently no sustainable management plan implemented.

4VAC15-320-25. Creel and length limits.

The creel limits (including live possession) and the length limits for the various species of fish shall be as follows, unless otherwise excepted by posted rules at department-owned or department-controlled waters (see 4VAC15-320-100 D).

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-320. Fish: Fishing Generally (amending 4VAC15-320-50).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments prohibit the use of any species of fish as bait in Virginia's candy darter streams of the New River drainage, including Big Stony Creek in Giles County, Dismal Creek in Bland and Giles Counties, Laurel Creek in Bland County, and Cripple Creek in Smyth and Wythe Counties, to prevent the introduction of nonnative fish species in those streams.

4VAC15-320-50. Fish used as bait prohibited in certain waters.

It shall be unlawful to use any species of fish as bait in the waters and tributaries of Lick Creek in Smyth and Bland counties, Bear Creek in Smyth County, and Laurel Creek in Tazewell and Bland counties, Big Stony Creek in Giles County, Dismal Creek in Bland and Giles Counties, Laurel Creek in Bland County, and Cripple Creek in Smyth and Wythe Counties.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-320. Fish: Fishing Generally (repealing 4VAC15-320-140).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments repeal the requirement for a permit to conduct a striped bass tournament.

4VAC15-320-140. Permits required for striped bass fishing rodeos; etc. (Repealed.)

No person shall organize, conduct, supervise, or solicit entries for striped bass fishing tournaments, rodeos, or other striped bass fishing events on the inland waters of this Commonwealth, for which prizes are offered, awarded, or accepted, either in money or other valuable considerations, without having applied for and obtained a permit from the department to do so. Exercising a due regard for the distribution, local abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and natural growth potential of striped bass in the affected public water, the director is authorized on behalf of the board to issue or deny permits pursuant to this section, and to establish such special rules for each tournament as may be deemed necessary, after consulting with the state fish biologist and with the approval of the board's fish committee as designated from time to time by the chairman. Failure to comply with all special rules and other provisions of any permit issued pursuant to this section may be deemed grounds for denying the permittee a permit for a similar event to be held within three years from the date of such failure of compliance.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-330. Fish: Trout Fishing (amending 4VAC15-330-10).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments provide for closures to designated stocked trout waters to adult anglers for youth trout fishing events sponsored by the department, including (i) how a closure shall be posted, (ii) when a closure will begin the day preceding an event, and (iii) that a closure will last until the conclusion of an event.

4VAC15-330-10. Season; general open season.

Except as otherwise specifically provided in the sections appearing in this chapter, there shall be a year-round season for taking trout. However, angling in designated stocked trout waters shall only be permitted from 5 a.m. until one hour after sunset, except for waters designated by the director as Trout Heritage Waters and listed in the annual trout stocking plan (as referenced in 4VAC15-20-190). Trout Heritage Waters will be closed to fishing on the Friday prior to the first Saturday in April and will reopen to fishing at 9 a.m. on the first Saturday in April. Youth fishing events that are sponsored by the department and held on designated stocked trout waters shall be posted on site with a closure to adults (anglers older than 15 years of age) from noon the day before the event until the conclusion of the youth event. Any person older than 15 years of age and accompanying a youth who is incapable of hooking and landing a fish unassisted shall be properly licensed to fish in designated stocked trout waters.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-330. Fish: Trout Fishing (amending 4VAC15-330-150).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments require that trout fishing in Wolf Creek, within the Abingdon Muster Grounds in the Town of Abingdon from Colonial Road downstream to Stone Mill Road, and Beaver Creek, within the boundaries of Sugar Hollow Park in the City of Bristol, be catch and release using single hook artificial lures only. Since the proposed action, a correction identifying the Wayne Avenue Bridge on the South River in the City of Waynesboro, instead of the Arch Avenue Bridge, has been added.

4VAC15-330-150. Special provision applicable to Stewarts Creek Trout Management Area; certain portions of the Dan, Rapidan, South Fork Holston and Staunton rivers, the Brumley Creek, East Fork of Chestnut Creek, Little Stony Creek, Little Tumbling Creek, Big Tumbling Creek, North Creek, Roaring Fork, Spring Run, Stony Creek, Venrick Run, South River, and their tributaries trout fishing using artificial lures with single hook.

It shall be lawful year around to fish for trout using only artificial lures with single hooks within:

1. The Stewarts Creek Trout Management Area in Carroll County.

2. The Rapidan and Staunton [ rivers Rivers ] and their tributaries upstream from a sign at the Lower Shenandoah National Park boundary in Madison County.

3. The Dan River and its tributaries between the Townes Dam and the Pinnacles Hydroelectric Project powerhouse in Patrick County.

4. The East Fork of Chestnut Creek (Farmers Creek) and its tributaries upstream from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Grayson and Carroll Counties.

5. Roaring Fork and its tributaries upstream from the southwest boundary of Beartown Wilderness Area in Tazewell County.

6. That section of the South Fork Holston River and its tributaries from the concrete dam at Buller Fish Culture Station downstream to the lower boundary of the Buller Fish Culture Station in Smyth County.

7. North Creek and its tributaries upstream from a sign at the George Washington National Forest North Creek Campground in Botetourt County.

8. Spring Run from it confluence with Cowpasture River upstream to a posted sign at the discharge for Coursey Springs Hatchery in Bath County.

9. Venrick Run and its tributaries within the Big Survey Wildlife Management Area and Town of Wytheville property in Wythe County.

10. Brumley Creek and its tributaries from the Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area boundary upstream to the Hidden Valley Lake Dam in Washington County.

11. Stony Creek (Mountain Fork) and its tributaries within the Jefferson National Forest in Wise and Scott Counties from the outlet of High Knob Lake downstream to the confluence of Chimney Rock Fork and Stony Creek.

12. Little Stony Creek and its tributaries within the Jefferson National Forest in Scott County from the Falls of Little Stony Creek downstream to a posted sign at the Hanging Rock Recreation Area.

13. Little Tumbling Creek and its tributaries within the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Smyth and Tazewell Counties downstream to the concrete bridge.

14. Effective January 1, 2018, Big Tumbling Creek and its tributaries within the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Smyth County from a sign starting at the foot of the mountain and extending upstream seasonally from October 1 until five days prior to the first Saturday in April.

15. South River in the City of Waynesboro from the [ Arch Wayne ] Avenue Bridge downstream 2.2 miles to the Second Street Bridge.

16. Wolf Creek and its tributaries within the Abingdon Muster Grounds in the Town of Abingdon from Colonial Road downstream to Stone Mill Road.

17. Beaver Creek and its tributaries within the boundaries of Sugar Hollow Park in the City of Bristol.

All trout caught in these waters must be immediately returned to the water. No trout or bait may be in possession at any time in these areas.

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

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments clarify that the use of cast nets for taking bait fish in the Roanoke and Dan Rivers in Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, and Pittsylvania Counties and in the City of Danville is not prohibited.

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. In addition, this section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of cast nets, also known as throw nets, for the taking of bait fish.

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.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-350. Fish: Gigs, Grab Hooks, Trotlines, Snares, etc. (amending 4VAC15-350-70).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments add goldfish to the list of fish that can be taken using bow and arrow or crossbow.

4VAC15-350-70. Taking common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, bowfin, catfish, and gar of fish with bow and arrow or crossbow.

A. Season. Except as otherwise provided by local legislation or as posted, it shall be lawful to take common carp, northern snakehead, goldfish, and gar from the public inland waters of the Commonwealth, grass carp from public inland waters of the Commonwealth except department-owned or department-controlled lakes, and bowfin and catfish from below the fall line in tidal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay, except waters stocked with trout, by means of bow and arrow or crossbow.

B. Poison arrows or explosive-head arrows prohibited. It shall be unlawful to use poison arrows or arrows with explosive heads at any time for the purpose of taking common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, bowfin, catfish, goldfish, or gar in the public inland waters of the Commonwealth.

C. Fishing license required. All persons taking fish in the manner mentioned described in this section shall be required to have a regular fishing license.

D. Creel limits. Common The creel limits for common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, goldfish, and catfish – shall be unlimited, provided that any angler taking northern snakehead immediately kill such fish and notify the department, as soon as practicable, of such actions and provided that any angler taking grass carp ensure that harvested fish are dead. The creel limit for bowfin and longnose gar shall be five fish per day.

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-25).

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

Effective Dates: September 1, 2018, through September 30, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Preamble:

The amendment closes the commercial cobia season on October 1, 2018, to mirror the federal waters closure.

4VAC20-510-25. Commercial fishery possession limits and season.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to possess more than two amberjack or more than two cobia at any time, except as described in 4VAC20-510-33. Any amberjack or cobia caught after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately. When fishing from any boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of valid commercial fisherman registration licensees on board multiplied by two, except there is a maximum vessel limit of six cobia per vessel per day. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit.

B. In 2018 it shall be unlawful for any person, fishing commercially, to harvest or possess any cobia after October 1.

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-720. Pertaining to Restrictions on Oyster Harvest (amending 4VAC20-720-20, 4VAC20-720-40, 4VAC20-720-60, 4VAC20-720-70, 4VAC20-720-75, 4VAC20-720-80, 4VAC20-720-91).

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

Effective Date: October 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments establish the 2018-2019 areas of public harvest, public oyster harvest seasons, and management measures, including (i) adjusting the start and duration of the harvest season on an area basis; (ii) changing vessel and individual harvest bushel limits; (iii) implementing less efficient gear types, such as patent and hand tongs in certain harvest areas; (iv) subdividing the current harvest areas into additional rotation areas; and (v) in the James River Seed Area, changing seed quota amounts, seed transport permits, and areas open to seed harvest.

4VAC20-720-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Aid to navigation" means any public or private day beacon, lighted channel marker, channel buoy, lighted channel buoy, or lighthouse that may be at, or adjacent to, any latitude and longitude used in area descriptions.

"Clean culled oyster" means any oyster taken from natural public beds, rocks, or shoals that is three inches or greater in shell length.

"Coan River Area" means that area of the Public Grounds within the Coan River inside of excluding Public Grounds 77 and 78 of Northumberland County.

Public Ground 77 of Northumberland County is located near the mouth of the Coan River, beginning at a point approximately 2,300 feet northeast of Honest Point and 1,300 feet southwest of Travis Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 37° 59.5257207' N., Longitude 76° 27.8810639' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 59.3710259' N., Longitude 76° 27.9962148' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 59.2953830' N., Longitude 76° 28.0468953' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 59.3350863' N., Longitude 76° 28.0968837' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 5, Latitude 37° 59.3965161' N., Longitude 76° 28.0287342' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 6, Latitude 37° 59.4758507' N., Longitude 76° 28.1112280' W.; thence north-northwesterly to Corner 7, Latitude 37° 59.5079401' N., Longitude 76° 28.1230058' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 8, Latitude 37° 59.5579153' N., Longitude 76° 27.9889429' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

Public Ground 78 of Northumberland County is located near the mouth of the Coan River, beginning at a point approximately 3,420 feet southeast of Travis Point and 3,260 feet northwest of Great Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 37° 59.4822275' N., Longitude 76° 27.1878637' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 59.3824046' N., Longitude 76° 27.1088650' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 59.2283287' N., Longitude 76° 27.8632901' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 59.4368502' N., Longitude 76° 27.6868001' W.; thence continuing northeasterly to Corner 5, Latitude 37° 59.5949216' N., Longitude 76° 27.5399436' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

"Deep Rock Area" means all public grounds and unassigned grounds, in that area of the Chesapeake Bay near Gwynn Island, beginning at Cherry Point at the western-most point of the eastern headland of Kibble Pond located at Latitude 37° 30.9802148' N., Longitude 76° 17.6764393' W.; thence northeasterly to the Piankatank River, Flashing Green Channel Light "3", Latitude 37° 32.3671325' N., Longitude 76° 16.7038334' W.; thence east-southeasterly to the Rappahannock River Entrance Lighted Buoy G"1R", Latitude 37° 32.2712833' N., Longitude 76° 11.4813666' W.; thence southwesterly to the southern-most point of Sandy Point, the northern headland of "The Hole in the Wall", Latitude 37° 28.1475258' N., Longitude 76° 15.8185670' W.; thence northwesterly along the Chesapeake Bay mean low water line of the barrier islands of Milford Haven, connecting headland to headland at their eastern-most points, and of Gwynn Island to the western-most point of the eastern headland of Kibble Pond on Cherry Point, said point being the point of beginning.

"Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Seed Area" or "DWS" means that area in the James River near Mulberry Island, beginning at a point approximately 530 feet west of Deep Water Shoal Light, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 37° 08.9433287' N., Longitude 76° 38.3213007' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 09.5734380' N., Longitude 76° 37.8300582' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 08.9265524' N., Longitude 76° 37.0574269' W.; thence westerly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 08.4466039 N., Longitude 76° 37.4523346' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 5, Latitude 37° 08.4491489' N., Longitude 76° 38.0215553' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

"Great Wicomico River Rotation Area1" means all public grounds and unassigned grounds, in that area of the Great Wicomico River, Ingram Bay, and the Chesapeake Bay, beginning at a point on Sandy Point, Latitude 37° 49.3269652' N., Longitude 76° 18.3821766' W.; thence easterly to the southern-most point of Cockrell Point, Latitude 37° 49.2664838' N., Longitude 76° 17.3454434' W.; thence easterly following the mean low water line of Cockrell Point to a point on the boundary of Public Ground 115 at Cash Point, Latitude 37° 49.2695619' N., Longitude 76° 17.2804046' W.; thence southeasterly to the gazebo on the pier head at Fleeton Point, Latitude 37° 48.7855824' N., Longitude 76° 16.9609311' W.; thence southeasterly to the Great Wicomico River Light; Latitude 37° 48.2078167' N., Longitude 76° 15.9799333' W.; thence westerly to a point on the offshore end of the southern jetty at the entrance to Towles Creek, Latitude 37° 48.3743771' N., Longitude 76° 17.9600320 W.; thence northerly crossing the entrance to Towles Creek at the offshore ends of the jetties and continuing along the mean low water line to Bussel Point, Latitude 37° 48.6879208' N., Longitude 76° 18.4670860' W.; thence northwesterly to the northern headland of Cranes Creek, Latitude 37° 48.8329168' N., Longitude 76° 18.7308073' W.; thence following the mean low water line northerly to a point on Sandy Point, Latitude 37° 49.3269652' N., Longitude 76° 18.3821766' W., said point being the point of beginning.

"Great Wicomico River Rotation Area 2" means all public grounds and unassigned grounds, in that area of the Great Wicomico River, Ingram Bay, and the Chesapeake Bay, beginning at a point on Great Wicomico River Light, Latitude 37° 48.2078167' N., Longitude 76° 15.9799333' W.; thence due south to a point due east of the southern-most point of Dameron Marsh, Latitude 37° 46.6610003' N., Longitude 76° 16.0570007' W.; thence due west to the southern-most point of Dameron Marsh, Latitude 37° 46.6609070' N., Longitude 76° 17.2670707' W.; thence along the mean low water line of Dameron Marsh, north and west to Garden Point, Latitude 37° 47.2519872' N., Longitude 76° 18.4028142' W.; thence northwesterly to Windmill Point, Latitude 37° 47.5194547' N., Longitude 76° 18.7132194' W.; thence northerly along the mean low water line to the western headland of Harveys Creek, Latitude 37° 47.7923573' N., Longitude 76° 18.6881450' W.; thence east-southeasterly to the eastern headland of Harveys Creek, Latitude 37° 47.7826936' N., Longitude 76° 18.5469879' W.; thence northerly along the mean low water line to a point on the offshore end of the southern jetty at the entrance to Towles Creek, Latitude 37° 48.3743771' N., Longitude 76° 17.9600320' W.,; thence easterly to Great Wicomico River Light, Latitude 37° 48.2078167' N., Longitude 76° 15.9799333' W., said point being the point of beginning.

"Hand scrape" means any device or instrument with a catching bar having an inside measurement of no more than 22 inches, which is used or usable for the purpose of extracting or removing shellfish from a water bottom or the bed of a body of water.

"Hand tong" or "ordinary tong" means any pincers, nippers, tongs, or similar device used in catching oysters, which consist of two shafts or handles attached to opposable and complementary pincers, baskets, or containers operated entirely by hand, from the surface of the water and has no external or internal power source.

"James River Hand Scrape Area 1"means all public grounds and unassigned grounds, in that area of the James River, beginning at the Flashing Green Channel Light #5, located at Latitude 37° 02.3528833' N., Longitude 76° 32.7785333' W.; thence southeasterly to the Flashing Green Channel Light #3, located at Latitude 37° 01.7124500' N., Longitude 76° 31.8210667' W.; thence southeasterly to the Flashing Green Channel Light #1, located at Latitude 37° 00.7666667' N., Longitude 76° 29.9083333' W.; thence southeasterly to the northeast corner of the western draw span pier of the James River Bridge (U.S. Route 17), Latitude 37° 00.1524824' N., Longitude 76° 28.1581984' W.; thence southwesterly along the upstream side of the James River Bridge to the mean low water line; thence northwesterly along the mean low water line, crossing Kings Creek at the headlands and continuing along the mean low water line to a point on the shore at Rainbow Farm Point in line with VMRC Markers "STH" and "SMT," located at Latitude 37° 00.1965862' N., Longitude 76° 34.0712010' W.; thence north-northeasterly to a VMRC Marker "STH," Latitude 37° 00.9815328 N., Longitude 76° 33.5955842' W.; thence to a VMRC Marker "SMT," at Latitude 37° 01.3228160' N., Longitude 76° 33.3887351' W.; thence to the Flashing Green Channel Light #5, at Latitude 37° 02.3528833' N., Longitude 76° 32.7785333' W., said point being the point of beginning.

"James River Hand Scrape Area 2"means all public grounds and unassigned grounds, in that area of the James River, beginning at the Flashing Green Channel Light #5, located at Latitude 37° 02.3528833' N., Longitude 76° 32.7785333' W.; thence northeasterly to a VMRC Marker "NMT," Latitude 37° 02.7740540' N., Longitude 76° 32.0960864' W.; thence to a VMRC Marker "NTH" located at Latitude 37° 03.2030055' N., Longitude 76° 31.4231211' W.; thence to a point on the north shore of the river at Blunt (Blount) Point, said point being in line with VMRC Markers "NMT" and "NTH" and located at Latitude 37° 03.3805862' N., Longitude 76° 31.1444562' W.; thence southeasterly along the mean low water line to the upstream side of the James River Bridge (U.S. Route 17); thence westerly along the James River Bridge to the northeast corner of the western draw span pier, Latitude 37° 00.1524824' N., Longitude 76° 28.1581984' W.; thence northwesterly to the Flashing Green Channel Light #1, located at Latitude 37° 00.7666667' N., Longitude 76° 29.9083333' W.; thence northwesterly to the Flashing Green Channel Light #3, located at Latitude 37° 01.7124500' N., Longitude 76° 31.8210667' W.; thence northwesterly to the Flashing Green Channel Light #5, located at Latitude 37° 02.3528833' N., Longitude 76° 32.7785333' W., said point being the point of beginning.

"James River Hand Scrape Area 3" means those public grounds of Isle of Wight County and Nansemond County (City of Suffolk) located in the James River and Nansemond River west of the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel (Route I-664), northeast of the Mills E. Godwin, Jr. Bridge (U.S. Route 17) on the Nansemond River, and south of the James River Bridge (U.S. Route 17).

"James River Seed Area"means all public grounds and unassigned grounds in that area of the James River and its tributaries with a southeastern boundary beginning at a point on the shore on the south side of the river at Rainbow Farm Point in Isle of Wight County located at Latitude 37° 00.1965862' N., Longitude 76° 34.0712010' W.; thence north-northeasterly to a VMRC Marker "STH," Latitude 37° 00.9815328 N., Longitude 76° 33.5955842' W.; thence to a VMRC Marker "SMT," at Latitude 37° 01.3228160' N., Longitude 76° 33.3887351' W.; thence to the Flashing Green Channel Light #5, at Latitude 37° 02.3528833' N., Longitude 76° 32.7785333' W.; thence northeasterly to a VMRC Marker "NMT," Latitude 37° 02.7740540' N., Longitude 76° 32.0960864' W.; thence to a VMRC Marker "NTH" located at Latitude 37° 03.2030055' N., Longitude 76° 31.4231211' W.; thence to a point on the north shore of the river at Blunt (Blount) Point, in the City of Newport News, located at Latitude 37° 03.3805862' N., Longitude 76° 31.1444562' W.; the northern boundary, being a straight line, beginning at a point on the shore on the east side of the river in the City of Newport News, at Latitude 37° 08.4458787' N., Longitude 76° 37.2855533' W.; thence westerly to the southeast corner of the Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Seed Area, Latitude 37° 08.4466039' N., Longitude 76° 37.4523346' W.; thence westerly to the southwest corner of the Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Seed Area, Latitude 37° 08.4490472' N., Longitude 76° 38.0215554' W.; thence westerly to a point on the shore on the west side of the river at the mouth of Lawnes Creek in Isle of Wight County, Latitude 37° 08.4582990' N., Longitude 76° 40.2816023' W.

"Latitude and longitude" means values that are based upon a geodetic reference system of the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). When latitude and longitude are used in any area description, in conjunction with any physical landmark, to include aids to navigation, the latitude and longitude value is the legal point defining the boundary.

"Little Wicomico River" means that area of the Little Wicomico River inside of Public Ground 43 of Northumberland County, located in the Little Wicomico River near Bridge Creek, beginning at a point approximately 150 feet north of Peachtree Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 37° 53.2910650' N., Longitude 76° 16.7312926' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 53.2601877' N., Longitude 76° 16.8662408' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 53.2678470' N., Longitude 76° 16.8902408' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 53.3113148' N., Longitude 76° 16.8211543' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

"Milford Haven" means that area of Milford Haven inside of Public Ground 7 of Mathews County, beginning at a point approximately 1,380 feet east of Point Breeze, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 37° 28.3500000' N., Longitude 76° 16.5000000' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 28.3700000' N., Longitude 76° 16.4700000' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 28.3500000' N., Longitude 76° 16.4200000' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 28.3200000' N., Longitude 76° 16.4500000' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

"Mobjack Bay Area" means that area of Mobjack Bay consisting of Public Ground 2 of Mathews County (Pultz Bar) and Public Ground 25 of Gloucester County (Tow Stake) described as:

Public Ground 2 of Mathews County, known as Pultz Bar, is located in Mobjack Bay, beginning at a point approximately 5,420 feet south of Minter Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 37° 21.2500000' N., Longitude 76° 21.3700000' W.; thence easterly to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 21.2700000' N., Longitude 76° 20.9600000' W.; thence southerly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 21.0200000' N., Longitude 76° 20.9400000' W.; thence westerly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 21.0500000' N., Longitude 76° 21.3300000' W.; thence northerly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

Public Ground 25 of Gloucester County, known as Tow Stake, is located in Mobjack Bay, near the mouth of the Severn River, beginning at a point approximately 2,880 feet east-northeast of Tow Stake Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 37° 20.3883888' N., Longitude 76° 23.5883836' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 30.5910482' N., Longitude 76° 23.2372184' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 20.3786971' N., Longitude 76° 22.7241180' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 19.8616759' N., Longitude 76° 23.5914937' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 5, Latitude 37° 20.0284019' N., Longitude 76° 23.7717423' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

"Nomini Creek Area" means that area of Nomini Creek inside of Public Grounds 26 and 28 of Westmoreland County.

Public Ground 26 of Westmoreland County is located in Nomini Creek, north of Beales Wharf and east of Barnes Point, beginning at a point approximately 1,400 feet north of Barnes Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 38° 07.2690219' N., Longitude 76° 42.6784210' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 38° 07.0924060' N., Longitude 76° 42.4745767' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 3, Latitude 38° 06.8394053' N., Longitude 76° 42.6704025,' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 4, Latitude 38° 06.8743004' N., Longitude 76° 42.7552151' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 5, Latitude 38° 07.0569717' N., Longitude 76° 42.5603535' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

Public Ground 28 of Westmoreland County is located at the mouth of Nomini Creek, beginning at a point approximately 50 feet west of White Oak Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 38° 07.6429987' N., Longitude 76° 43.0337082' W.; thence south-southeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 38° 07.2987193' N., Longitude 76° 43.1101420' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 3, Latitude 38° 07.7029267' N., Longitude 76° 43.3337762' W.; thence west to the mean low water line, Latitude 38° 07.7031535' N., Longitude 76° 43.3378345' W.; thence northerly and westerly along the mean low water line of Nomini Creek to a point southwest of Cedar Island, Latitude 38° 07.8986449' N., Longitude 76° 43.6329097' W.; thence northeasterly to a point on the mean low water line at the southern-most point of Cedar Island, Latitude 38° 07.8986449' N., Longitude 76° 43.6329097' W.; thence following the mean low water line of the southern and eastern sides of Cedar Island to a point, Latitude 38° 08.0164430' N., Longitude 76° 43.4773169' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 4, Latitude 38° 08.0712849' N., Longitude 76° 43.4416606' W.; thence northeasterly to a point on the northern headland of Nomini Creek at the mean low water line, said point being Corner 5, Latitude 38° 08.2729626' N., Longitude 76° 43.3105315' W.; thence following the mean low water line of White Point to a point northwest of Snake Island, Corner 6, Latitude 38° 08.4066960' N., Longitude 76° 42.9105565' W.; thence southeast, crossing the mouth of Buckner Creek, to a point on the mean low water line of Snake Island, Corner 7, Latitude 38° 08.3698254' N., Longitude 76° 42.8939656' W.; thence southeasterly following the mean low water line of Snake Island to Corner 8, Latitude 38° 08.2333798' N., Longitude 76° 42.7778877' W.; thence south-southwesterly, crossing the mouth of Buckner Creek, to Corner 9, Latitude 38° 08.2134371' N., Longitude 76° 42.7886409' W.; thence southeasterly to a point on the mean low water line of the southern headland of Buckner Creek, Corner 10, Latitude 38° 08.1956281' N., Longitude 76° 42.7679625' W.; thence southwesterly following the mean low water line of Nomini Creek, crossing the mouth of an un-named cove at the narrowest point between the headlands and continuing to follow the mean low water line to a point on White Oak Point, Latitude 38° 07.6428228' N., Longitude 76° 43.0233530' W.; thence west to Corner 1, said point being the point of beginning.

"Oyster" means any shellfish of the species Crassostrea virginica.

"Oyster dredge" means any device having a maximum weight of 150 pounds with attachments, maximum width of 50 inches, and maximum tooth length of four inches.

"Oyster patent tong" means any patent tong not exceeding 100 pounds in gross weight, including any attachment other than rope and with the teeth not to exceed four inches in length.

"Oyster resource user fee" means a fee that must be paid each calendar year by anyone who grows, harvests, shucks, packs, or ships oysters for commercial purposes.

"Pocomoke Sound Area" means that area of Pocomoke Sound inside of Public Grounds Ground 9 and 10 of Accomack County.

Public Ground 9 of Accomack County is located in the Pocomoke Sound, beginning at a corner on the Maryland-Virginia state line, located in the Pocomoke Sound approximately 1.06 nautical miles north-northeast of the northern-most point of North End Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 37° 57.2711566' N., Longitude 75° 42.2870790' W. (NAD83); thence east-northeasterly along the Maryland-Virginia state line to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 57.2896577' N., Longitude 75° 41.9790727' W.; thence southerly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 57.2574850' N., Longitude 75° 41.9790730' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 57.2288700' N., Longitude 75° 42.0077287' W.; thence west-southwesterly to Corner 5, Latitude 37° 57.2034533' N., Longitude 75° 42.1511250' W.; thence south-southwesterly to Corner 6, Latitude 37° 57.0940590' N., Longitude 75° 42.1935214' W.; thence south-southeasterly to Corner 7, Latitude 37° 57.0551726' N., Longitude 75° 42.1814457' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 8, Latitude 37° 56.9408327' N., Longitude 75° 42.2957912' W.; thence south-southwesterly to Corner 9, Latitude 37° 56.6574947' N., Longitude 75° 42.3790819' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 10, Latitude 37° 56.5790952' N., Longitude 75° 42.5228752' W.; thence west-southwesterly to Corner 11, Latitude 37° 56.5712564' N., Longitude 75° 42.5915437' W.; thence south-southeasterly to Corner 12, Latitude 37° 56.5441067' N., Longitude 75° 42.5869894' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 13, Latitude 37° 56.4575045' N., Longitude 75° 42.7458050' W.; thence west-southwesterly to Corner 14, Latitude 37° 56.2575123' N., Longitude 75° 43.3791097' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 15, Latitude 37° 55.7408688' N., Longitude 75° 43.7957804' W.; thence westerly to Corner 16, Latitude 37° 55.7575327' N., Longitude 75° 43.9458298' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 17, Latitude 37° 55.8908661' N., Longitude 75° 44.1291309' W.; thence north-northeasterly to Corner 18, Latitude 37° 55.9908639' N., Longitude 75° 44.0791266' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 19, Latitude 37° 56.1241858' N., Longitude 75° 43.8791328' W.; thence north-northeasterly to Corner 20, Latitude 37° 56.4075136' N., Longitude 75° 43.7291361' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 21, Latitude 37° 56.8241664' N., Longitude 75° 43.2624601' W.; thence north-northeasterly to Corner 22, Latitude 37° 57.0706006' N., Longitude 75° 43.1480402' W.; thence east-northeasterly along the Maryland-Virginia state line to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

Public Ground 10 of Accomack County is located in the Pocomoke Sound, beginning at a corner on the Maryland-Virginia state line, located in the Pocomoke Sound approximately 2.3 nautical miles westerly of the northern-most point of North End Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 37° 56.4741881' N., Longitude 75° 45.7051676' W. (NAD83); thence east-northeasterly along the Maryland-Virginia state line to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 56.9261140' N., Longitude 75° 43.7679786' W.; thence south-southwesterly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 56.1241948' N., Longitude 75° 44.3624962' W.; thence west-southwesterly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 56.0820561' N., Longitude 75° 44.5826292' W.; thence northerly to Corner 5, Latitude 37° 56.1377309' N., Longitude 75° 44.5817745' W.; thence west-southwesterly to Corner 6, Latitude 37° 56.1259751' N., Longitude 75° 44.6226859' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 7, Latitude 37° 56.1039335' N., Longitude 75° 44.6692334' W.; thence southerly to Corner 8, Latitude 37° 56.0643616' N., Longitude 75° 44.6750106' W.; thence west-southwesterly to Corner 9, Latitude 37° 55.9742005' N., Longitude 75° 45.1458109' W.; thence west-northwesterly to Corner 10, Latitude 37° 56.0741973' N., Longitude 75° 45.8958329' W.; thence north-northwesterly to Corner 11, Latitude 37° 56.2565760' N., Longitude 75° 46.0000557' W.; thence northeasterly along the Maryland-Virginia state line to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

"Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds Management Area" or "PTSMA" means the area as defined in § 28.2-524 of the Code of Virginia.

"Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds Rotation Area 1" means all public grounds and unassigned grounds, within an area of the PTSMA, in Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds, bounded by a line beginning at a point on the Maryland-Virginia state line, located at Latitude 37° 54.6136000' N., Longitude 75° 53.9739600' W.; thence south to the house on Great Fox Island, Latitude 37° 53.6946500' N., Longitude 75° 53.8898800' W.; thence westerly to a point, Latitude 37° 53.3633500' N., Longitude 75° 56.5589600' W.; thence south to a point, Latitude 37° 48.4429100' N., Longitude 75° 56.4883600' W.; thence easterly to the north end of Watts Island, Latitude 37° 48.7757800' N., Longitude 75° 53.5994100' W.; thence northerly to the house on Great Fox Island, Latitude 37° 53.6946500' N., Longitude 75° 53.8898800' W.; thence southeasterly to Pocomoke Sound Shoal Flashing Light Red "8", Latitude 37° 52.4583300' N., Longitude 75° 49.4000000' W.; thence southeasterly to Messongo Creek Entrance Buoy Green Can "1", Latitude 37° 52.1000000' N., Longitude 75° 47.8083300' W.; thence southeast to Guilford Flats Junction Light Flashing 2+1 Red "GF", Latitude 37° 50.9533300' N., Longitude 75° 46.6416700' W.; thence southerly to a point on a line from Guilford Flats Junction Light to the northern-most point of Russell Island, where said line intersects the PTSMA boundary, Latitude 37° 48.4715943' N., Longitude 75° 46.9955932' W.; thence clockwise following the PTSMA boundary to a point on the Maryland-Virginia state line, said point being the point of beginning.

"Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds Rotation Area 2" means all public grounds and unassigned grounds, within an area of the PTSMA, in Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds, bounded by a line beginning at the house on Great Fox Island, located at Latitude 37° 53.6946500' N., Longitude 75° 53.8898800' W.; thence southerly to the north end of Watts Island, Latitude 37° 48.7757800' N., Longitude 75° 53.5994100' W.; thence westerly to a point, Latitude 37° 48.4429100' N., Longitude 75° 56.4883600' W.; thence northerly to a point, Latitude 37° 53.3633500' N., Longitude 75° 56.5589600' W.; thence easterly to the house on Great Fox Island, said house being the point of beginning. Also, Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds Rotation Area 2 shall include all public grounds and unassigned grounds in the PTSMA in Pocomoke Sound bounded by a line beginning at a point on the Maryland-Virginia state line, Latitude 37° 54.6136000' N., Longitude 75° 53.9739600' W.; thence following the PTSMA boundary clockwise to a point on the line from the northern-most point of Russell Island to Guilford Flats Junction Light Flashing 2+1 Red "GF", where said line intersects the PTSMA boundary, Latitude 37° 48.4715943' N., Longitude 75° 46.9955932' W.; thence northerly to Guilford Flats Junction Light Flashing 2+1 Red "GF", Latitude 37° 50.9533300' N., Longitude 75° 46.6416700' W.; thence northwesterly to Messongo Creek Entrance Buoy Green Can "1", Latitude 37° 52.1000000' N., Longitude 75° 47.8083300' W.; thence northwesterly to Pocomoke Sound Shoal Flashing Light Red "8", Latitude 37° 52.4583300' N., Longitude 75° 49.4000000' W.; thence northwesterly to the house on Great Fox Island, Latitude 37° 53.6946500' N., Longitude 75° 53.8898800' W.; thence northerly to a point on the Maryland-Virginia state line, said point being the point of beginning.

"Public oyster ground" means all those grounds defined in § 28.2-551 of the Code of Virginia or by any other acts of the General Assembly pertaining to those grounds, all those grounds set aside by court order, and all those grounds set aside by order of the Marine Resources Commission, and may be redefined by any of these legal authorities.

"Rappahannock River Area 7" means all public grounds, in that area of the Rappahannock River, bounded downstream by a line from Rogue Point, located at Latitude 37° 40.0400000' N., Longitude 76° 32.2530000' W.; thence west-northwesterly to Flashing Red Buoy "8", Latitude 37° 40.1580000' N., Longitude 76° 32.9390000' W.; thence southwesterly to Balls Point, Latitude 37° 39.3550000' N., Longitude 76° 34.4440000' W.; and bounded upstream by a line from Punchbowl Point, Latitude 37° 44.6750000' N., Longitude 76° 37.3250000' W.; thence southeasterly to Monaskon Point, Latitude 37° 44.0630000' N., Longitude 76° 34.1080000' W.

"Rappahannock River Area 8" means all public grounds, in that area of the Rappahannock River, bounded downstream by a line from Monaskon Point, located at Latitude 37° 44.0630000' N., Longitude 76° 34.1080000' W.; thence northwesterly to Punchbowl Point, Latitude 37° 44.6750000' N., Longitude 76° 37.3250000' W.; and bounded upstream by a line from Jones Point, Latitude 37° 46.7860000' N., Longitude 76° 40.8350000' W.; thence north-northwesterly to Sharps Point, Latitude 37° 49.3640000' N., Longitude 76° 42.0870000' W.

"Rappahannock River Area 9" means all public grounds, in that area of the Rappahannock River, bounded downstream by a line from Sharps Point, located at Latitude 37° 49.3640000' N., Longitude 76° 42.0870000' W.; thence south-southeasterly to Jones Point, Latitude 37° 46.7860000' N., Longitude 76° 40.8350000' W.; and bounded upstream by the Thomas J. Downing Bridge (U.S. Route 360).

"Rappahannock River Rotation Area 1" means all public grounds, in that area of the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay, bounded by a line offshore and across the mouth of the Rappahannock River from a point on the mean low water line of Windmill Point, located at Latitude 37° 36.8200000' N., Longitude 76° 16.9460000' W.; thence southeast to Windmill Point Light, Latitude 37° 35.7930000' N., Longitude 76° 14.1800000' W.; thence southwesterly to Stingray Point Light, Latitude 37° 33.6730000' N., Longitude 76° 16.3620000' W.; thence westerly to a point on the mean low water line of Stingray Point, Latitude 37° 33.6920000' N., Longitude 76° 17.9860000' W.; and bounded upstream by a line from the mean low water line west of Broad Creek, Latitude 37° 33.9520000' N., Longitude 76° 19.3090000' W.; thence northeasterly to a VMRC Buoy on the Baylor line, Latitude 37° 34.5310000' N., Longitude 76° 19.1430000' W.; thence northeasterly to a VMRC Buoy, Latitude 37° 34.6830000' N., Longitude 76° 19.1000000' W.; thence northwesterly to a VMRC Buoy, Latitude 37° 35.0170000' N., Longitude 76° 19.4500000' W.; thence northwesterly to Sturgeon Bar Light "7R", Latitude 37° 35.1500000' N., Longitude 76° 19.7330000' W.; thence continuing northwesterly to Mosquito Point Light "8R", Latitude 37° 36.1000000' N., Longitude 76° 21.3000000' W.; thence northwesterly to the southern-most corner of the house on Mosquito Point, Latitude 37° 36.5230000' N., Longitude 76° 21.5950000' W.

"Rappahannock River Rotation Area 2" means all public grounds, in that area of the Rappahannock River, bounded downstream by a line from the southern-most corner of the house on Mosquito Point, located at Latitude 37° 36.5230000' N., Longitude 76° 21.5950000' W.; thence southeast to Mosquito Point Light "8R", Latitude 37° 36.1000000' N., Longitude 76° 21.3000000' W.; thence continuing southeasterly to Sturgeon Bar Beacon "7R", Latitude 37° 35.1500000' N., Longitude 76° 19.7330000' W.; thence west-southwesterly to a VMRC Buoy, Latitude 37° 34.9330000' N., Longitude 76° 21.0500000' W.; thence southwesterly to a VMRC Buoy, Latitude 37° 34.8830000' N., Longitude 76° 21.1000000' W.; thence southwesterly to a pier west of Hunting Creek at Grinels, Latitude 37° 34.4360000' N., Longitude 76° 26.2880000' W.; and bounded on the upstream by a line from Mill Creek Channel Marker "4", Latitude 37° 35.0830000' N., Longitude 76° 26.9500000' W.; thence northeasterly to Mill Creek Channel Marker "2", Latitude 37° 35.4830000' N., Longitude 76° 24.5670000' W.; thence northeasterly to the southern-most corner of the house on Mosquito Point, Latitude 37° 36.5230000' N., Longitude 76° 21.5950000'0 W.

"Rappahannock River Rotation Area 3" means all public grounds, in that area of the Rappahannock River, beginning from the north channel fender at the Robert O. Norris, Jr. Bridge, located at Latitude 37° 37.4830000' N., Longitude 76° 25.3450000' W.; thence southeast to the southern-most corner of the house on Mosquito Point, Latitude 37° 36.5230000' N., Longitude 76° 21.5950000' W.; thence southwest to Mill Creek Channel Marker "2", Latitude 37° 35.4830000' N., Longitude 76° 24.5670000' W.; thence southwesterly to Mill Creek Channel Marker "4", Latitude 37° 35.0830000' N., Longitude 76° 24.9500000' W.; thence northeasterly to Parrotts Creek Channel Marker "1", Latitude 37° 36.0330000' N., Longitude 76° 25.4170000' W.; thence northerly to VMRC Buoy, Latitude 37° 36.3330000' N., Longitude 76° 25.2000000' W.; thence northerly to the north channel fender of the Robert O. Norris, Jr. Bridge, said point being the point of beginning.

"Rappahannock River Rotation Area 4" means all public grounds, in that area of the Rappahannock River, Corrotoman River and Carter Creek, beginning at the White Stone end of the Robert O. Norris, Jr. Bridge (State Route 3), located at Latitude 37° 38.1290000' N., Longitude 76° 24.7220000' W.; thence along said bridge to the north channel fender, Latitude 37° 37.4830000' N., Longitude 76° 25.3450000' W.; thence westerly to the VMRC Buoy "5-4", Latitude 37° 38.0050000' N., Longitude 76° 30.0280000' W.; thence northerly to Old House Point, Latitude 37° 39.1390000' N., Longitude 76° 29.6850000' W.; thence northeasterly to Ball Point, Latitude 37° 41.6600000' N., Longitude 76° 28.6320000' W.; thence southeasterly to VMRC reef marker "Ferry Bar – North", Latitude 37° 40.3000000' N., Longitude 76° 28.5000000' W.; thence southwesterly to VMRC reef marker "Ferry Bar – South", Latitude 37° 40.1670000' N., Longitude 76° 28.5830000' W.; thence southeasterly to a duck blind west of Corrotoman Point, Latitude 37° 39.8760000' N., Longitude 76° 28.4200000' W.; thence southerly to VMRC Buoy "543", Latitude 37° 39.2670000' N., Longitude 76° 27.8500000' W.; thence southerly to VMRC Buoy "Drumming-West", Latitude 37° 38.8830000' N., Longitude 76° 27.6830000' W.; thence southerly to VMRC Buoy "Drumming-East", Latitude 37° 38.8330000' N., Longitude 76° 27.5670000' W.; thence northeasterly to Orchard Point, Latitude 37° 38.9240000' N., Longitude 76° 27.1260000' W.

"Rappahannock River Rotation Area 5" means all public grounds, in that area of the Rappahannock River, beginning at the Greys Point end of the Robert O. Norris, Jr. Bridge (State Route 3), located at Latitude 37° 36.8330000' N., Longitude 76° 25.9990000' W.; thence northeasterly along the bridge to the north channel fender, Latitude 37° 37.4830000' N., Longitude 76° 25.3450000' W.; thence west-northwesterly to VMRC Buoy "5-4", Latitude 37° 38.0050000' N., Longitude 76° 30.0280000' W.; thence westerly to Buoy "R6", Latitude 37° 38.0330000' N., Longitude 76° 30.2830000' W.; thence south to the eastern headland of Whiting Creek, Latitude 37° 36.6580000' N., Longitude 76° 30.3120000' W.

"Rappahannock River Rotation Area 6" means all public grounds, in that area of the Rappahannock River, beginning on the eastern headland of Whiting Creek, located at Latitude 37° 36.6580000' N., Longitude 76° 30.3120000' W.; thence north to Buoy "R6", Latitude 37° 38.0330000' N., Longitude 76° 30.2830000' W.; thence northwesterly to VMRC White House Sanctuary Buoy, Latitude 37° 38.1500000' N., Longitude 76° 30.5330000' W.; thence northwesterly to VMRC Towles Point Area Buoy, Latitude 37° 38.8330000' N., Longitude 76° 31.5360000' W.; thence northwesterly to Flashing Red Buoy "8" off Rogue Point, Latitude 37° 40.1580000' N., Longitude 76° 32.9390000' W.; thence southwesterly to Balls Point, Latitude 37° 39.3550000' N., Longitude 76° 34.4440000' W.

"Seed oyster" means any oyster taken by any person from natural beds, rocks, or shoals that is more than 30 days from harvest for human consumption.

"Unassigned ground" means all grounds not assigned pursuant to §§ 28.2-600 through 28.2-633 of the Code of Virginia, established pursuant to § 28.2-551 of the Code of Virginia, or set aside by court order, or those grounds set aside by declarations or regulation by the Marine Resources Commission, and may be redefined by any of these legal authorities.

"Upper Chesapeake Bay - Blackberry Hangs Area" means all public grounds and unassigned grounds, in that area of the Chesapeake Bay, bounded by a line, beginning at a point approximately 300 feet east of the mean low water line of the Chesapeake Bay and approximately 1,230 feet southwest of the end of the southern-most stone jetty at the mouth of the Little Wicomico River, said point being Corner 1, Latitude 37° 53.1811193' N., Longitude 76° 14.1740146' W.; thence east-southeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 37° 52.9050025' N., Longitude 76° 11.9357257' W.; thence easterly to Corner 3, Latitude 37° 52.9076552' N., Longitude 76° 11.6098145' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 4, Latitude 37° 52.8684955' N., Longitude 76° 11.6402444' W.; thence east-southeasterly to Corner 5, Latitude 37° 52.7924853' N., Longitude 76° 11.0253352' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 6, Latitude 37° 49.4327736' N., Longitude 76° 13.2409959' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 7, Latitude 37° 50.0560555' N., Longitude 76° 15.0023234' W.; thence north-northeasterly to Corner 8, Latitude 37° 50.5581183' N., Longitude 76° 14.8772805' W.; thence north-northeasterly to Corner 9, Latitude 37° 52.0260950' N., Longitude 76° 14.5768550' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

"Yeocomico River Area" means that area of the North West Yeocomico River, inside Public Ground 8 of Westmoreland County and those areas of the South Yeocomico River inside Public Grounds 100, 102, 104, 106, and 107, and 112 of Northumberland County. described as:

Public Ground 8 of Westmoreland County is located in the North West Yeocomico River, beginning at a point approximately 1,455 feet northeast of Crow Bar and 1,850 feet northwest of White Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 38° 02.7468214' N., Longitude 76° 33.0775726' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 38° 02.7397202' N., Longitude 76° 33.0186286' W.; thence southerly to Corner 3, Latitude 38° 02.6021644' N., Longitude 76° 33.0234175' W.; thence westerly to Corner 4, Latitude 38° 02.6006669' N., Longitude 76° 33.0824799' W.; thence northerly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

Public Ground 100 of Northumberland County is located in the South Yeocomico River, beginning at said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 38° 00.2292779' N., Longitude 76° 32.2244222' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 2, Latitude 38° 00.2183904' N., Longitude 76° 32.2488009' W.; thence westerly to Corner 3, Latitude 38° 00.2156893' N., Longitude 76° 32.3156220' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 4, Latitude 38° 00.4024997' N., Longitude 76° 32.3338888' W.; thence continuing northeasterly to Corner 5, Latitude 38° 00.5806170' N., Longitude 76° 32.1957546' W.; thence continuing easterly to Corner 6, Latitude 38° 00.5798424' N., Longitude 76° 31.9506788' W., thence continuing southeasterly to Corner 7, Latitude 38° 00.5076459' N., Longitude 76° 31.9387425' W.; thence heading along the mean low water southwesterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

Public Ground 102 of Northumberland County is located in the South Yeocomico River, beginning at a point approximately 630 feet south of Mundy Point and 1,745 feet southwest of Tom Jones Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 38° 01.2138059' N., Longitude 76° 32.5577201' W.; thence east-northeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 38° 01.2268644' N., Longitude 76° 32.4497849' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 3, Latitude 38° 01.1091209' N., Longitude 76° 32.5591101' W.; thence northerly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

Public Ground 104 of Northumberland County is located in the South Yeocomico River, beginning at a point approximately 670 feet north of Walker Point and 1,900 feet northwest of Palmer Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 38° 00.8841841' N., Longitude 76° 32.6106215' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 38° 00.8609163' N., Longitude 76° 32.5296302' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 3, Latitude 38° 00.6693092' N., Longitude 76° 32.4161866' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 4, Latitude 38° 00.6418466' N., Longitude 76° 32.5394849' W.; thence northwesterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

Public Ground 107 of Northumberland County is located in the South Yeocomico River, beginning at a point approximately 1,000 feet southwest of Barn Point and 1,300 feet northwest of Tom Jones Point, said point being Corner 1, located at Longitude 38° 01.1389367' N., Latitude 76° 32.3425617' W.; thence east-southeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 38° 01.4106421' N., Longitude 76° 32.1077962' W.; thence southwesterly to Corner 3, Latitude 38° 01.2717197' N., Longitude 76° 32.2917989' W.; thence north-northwesterly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

Public Ground 112 of Northumberland County is located in the Yeocomico River, beginning at said point being Corner 1, located at Latitude 38° 01.8449428' N., Longitude 76° 32.2191877' W.; thence northeasterly to Corner 2, Latitude 38° 01.8783929' N., Longitude 76° 31.9970988' W.; thence southeasterly to Corner 3, Latitude 38° 01.7997003' N., 76° 31.9569302' W.; thence continuing southeasterly to Corner 4, Latitude 38° 01.6848729' N., Longitude 76° 31.5931801' W.; thence southerly to Corner 5, Latitude 38° 01.5760153' N., 76° 31.5931801' W.; thence westerly to Corner 6, Latitude 38° 01.6860521' N., Longitude 76° 32.2820100' W.; thence northerly to Corner 1, said corner being the point of beginning.

"York River Rotation Area 1" means all public grounds in the York River, within Gloucester County, between a line from Upper York River Flashing Red Channel Marker "8", Latitude 37° 17.8863666' N., Longitude 76° 34.6534166' W.; thence northeasterly to Red Day Marker "2" at the mouth of Cedar Bush Creek, Latitude 37° 18.6422166' N., Longitude 76° 33.8216000' W.; upstream to a line from the Flashing Yellow VIMS Data Buoy "CB", Latitude 37° 20.4670000' N., Longitude 76° 37.4830000' W.; thence northeasterly to the inshore end of the wharf at Clay Bank.

"York River Rotation Area 2" means all public grounds in the York River, within Gloucester County, from the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge (U.S. Route 17), upstream to a line from Upper York River Flashing Red Channel Marker "8", Latitude 37° 17.8863666' N., Longitude 76° 34.6534166' W.; thence northeasterly to Red Day Marker "2" at the mouth of Cedar Bush Creek, Latitude 37° 18.6422166' N., Longitude 76° 33.8216000' W.

4VAC20-720-40. Open oyster harvest season and areas.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest oysters from public and unassigned grounds outside of the seasons and areas set forth in this section.

B. It shall be unlawful to harvest clean cull oysters from the public oyster grounds and unassigned grounds except during the lawful seasons and from the lawful areas as described in the following subdivisions of this subsection.

1. James River Seed Area, including the Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Seed Area: October 1, 2017 2018, through April 30, 2018 2019.

2. Milford Haven: December 1, 2017 2018, through February 28, 2018 2019.

3. Rappahannock River Area 9: November 1, 2017 2018, through December 31, 2017 2018.

4. Little Wicomico River: October 1, 2017 2018, through December 31, 2017 2018.

5. Coan River Area: October 1, 2017 2018, through December 31, 2017 2018.

6. Yeocomico River Area: October 1, 2017 2018, through December 31, 2017 2018.

7. Nomini Creek Area: October 1, 2017 2018, through December 31, 2017 2018.

8. Mobjack Bay Area: October 1, 2017, through October 31, 2017 (hand tong only) and February 1, 2018 2019, through February 28, 2018 (hand scrape only) 2019.

9. York River Rotation Area 1: January 1, 2018, through January 31, 2018.

10. 9. Rappahannock River Rotation Area 1: October 1, 2017 3: November 1, 2018, through November 30, 2017 2018 (patent tong only), and January 1, 2019, through February 28, 2019 (hand scrape only).

11. Rappahannock River Rotation Area 6: November 1, 2017, through November 30, 2017 (patent tong only) and December 1, 2017, through January 31, 2018 (hand scrape only).

12. Rappahannock River Area 7: December 1, 2017, through January 31, 2018.

13. Great Wicomico River Rotation Area 1: December 1, 2017, through January 31, 2018.

14. 10. Rappahannock River Rotation Area 5: October 1, 2018, through November 30, 2018.

11. Great Wicomico River Rotation Area 2: December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, and February 1, 2019, through February 28, 2019.

12. Upper Chesapeake Bay - Blackberry Hangs Area: December 1, 2017 2018, through January December 31, 2018, and February 1, 2019, through February 28, 2019.

15. 13. James River Hand Scrape Areas 1 and 3: December 1, 2017, through February 28, 2018 November 1, 2018, through January 31, 2019.

16. 14. James River Hand Scrape Area 2: October 1, 2017 2018, through December 31, 2017 2018.

17. Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds Rotation Area 1: December 1, 2017, through February 28, 2018.

18. 15. Pocomoke Sound Rotation Area 2: December 1, 2018, through January 31, 2019.

16. Tangier Sound Rotation Area 2: December 1, 2018, through February 28, 2019.

17. Pocomoke Sound Area: November 1, 2018, through November 30, 2018.

18. Rappahannock River Area 8: October 1, 2018, through October 31, 2018 (patent tong only), and December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018 (hand scrape only).

19. Deep Rock Area: December 1, 2017 2018, through February 28, 2018 2019.

19. 20. Seaside of the Eastern Shore (for clean cull oysters only): November 1, 2017 2018, through March 31, 2018 2019.

C. It shall be unlawful to harvest seed oysters from the public oyster grounds or unassigned grounds, except during the lawful seasons. The harvest of seed oysters from the lawful areas is described in the following subdivisions of this subsection.

1. James River Seed Area: October 1, 2017 2018, through May 31, 2018 2019.

2. Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Seed Area: October 1, 2017 2018, through May 31, 2018 2019.

4VAC20-720-60. Day and time limit.

A. It shall be unlawful to take, catch, or possess oysters on Saturday and Sunday from the public oyster grounds or unassigned grounds in the waters of the Commonwealth of Virginia, for commercial purposes, except that this provision shall not apply to any person harvesting no more than one bushel per day by hand or ordinary tong for household use only during the season when the public oyster grounds or unassigned grounds are legally open for harvest.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest or attempt to harvest oysters prior to sunrise or after 2 p.m. from the areas described in 4VAC20-720-40 B 1 through B 18 19 and 4VAC20-720-40 C. In addition, it shall be unlawful for any boat with an oyster dredge or hand scrape aboard to leave the dock until one hour before sunrise or return to the dock after sunset.

4VAC20-720-70. Gear restrictions.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest oysters in the James River Seed Area, including the Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Seed Area, the Rappahannock River Area 9, Milford Haven, Little Wicomico River, Coan River Area, Nomini Creek Area and Yeocomico River Area, except by hand tong. It shall be unlawful for any person to have a hand scrape on board a boat that is harvesting or attempting to harvest oysters from public grounds by hand tong.

B. It shall be unlawful to harvest oysters by any gear from the seaside of the Eastern Shore except by hand or hand tong. It shall be unlawful to harvest oysters that are not submerged at mean low water by any gear other than by hand.

C. It shall be unlawful to harvest oysters in the Rappahannock River Rotation Area 1, Rappahannock River Area 7, James River Hand Scrape Areas, Upper Chesapeake Bay - Blackberry Hangs Area, York River Area, and Great Wicomico River Areas following areas by any gear except by hand scrape: Rappahannock River Rotation Area 3, from January 1, 2018, through February 28, 2019; Rappahannock River Area 5, from October 1, 2018, through November 30, 2018; James River Hand Scrape Areas 1 and 3, from November 1, 2018, through January 31, 2019; James River Hand Scrape Area 2, from October 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018; Upper Chesapeake Bay - Blackberry Hangs Area, from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, and February 1, 2019, through February 28, 2019; Mobjack Bay Area, from February 1, 2019, through February 28, 2019; Pocomoke Sound Area, from November 1, 2018, through November 30, 2018; and Great Wicomico River Areas, from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018 and February 1, 2019, through February 28, 2019.

D. It shall be unlawful to harvest oysters in the Rappahannock River Rotation Area 6 by any gear except an oyster patent tong from November 1, 2017, through November 30, 2017. It shall be unlawful to harvest oysters in the Rappahannock River Rotation Area 6 by any gear except hand scrape from December 1, 2017, through January from the following areas by any gear except an oyster patent tong: Rappahannock River Rotation Area 3, from November 1, 2018, through November 30, 2018, and Rappahannock River Rotation Area 8, from October 1, 2018, through October 31, 2018.

E. It shall be unlawful to harvest oysters in the Mobjack Bay Area by any gear except by hand tong from October 1, 2017, through October 31, 2017. It shall be unlawful to harvest oysters in the Mobjack Bay Area by any gear except by hand scrape from February 1, 2018, through February 28, 2018.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person to have more than one hand scrape on board any boat that is his vessel while he is harvesting oysters or attempting to harvest oysters from public grounds. It shall be unlawful for any person to have a hand tong on board a boat that is his vessel while he is harvesting or attempting to harvest oysters from public grounds by hand scrape.

G. F. It shall be unlawful to harvest oysters from the Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds Rotation Area 1 2, except by an oyster dredge.

H. G. It shall be unlawful to harvest oysters from the Deep Rock Area, except by an oyster patent tong.

4VAC20-720-75. Gear license.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest shellfish from the hand scrape areas in the Rappahannock River, James River, Upper Chesapeake Bay, York River, Mobjack Bay, and Great Wicomico River with a hand scrape from the public oyster grounds as described in 4VAC20-720-70 C unless that person has first obtained a valid hand scrape license.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest shellfish with an oyster dredge from the public oyster grounds in the Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds Rotation Area 1 2, unless that person has first obtained a valid oyster dredge license.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest shellfish with a patent tong from the public oyster grounds in the Deep Rock Area or Rappahannock River Rotation Area 6 when open to patent tong use, as described in 4VAC20-720-70 D and G unless that person has first obtained a valid oyster patent tong license.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest shellfish with a hand tong from the public oyster grounds, as described in 4VAC20-720-70 A, unless that person has first obtained a valid hand tong license.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest shellfish by hand from the public oyster grounds on the seaside of the Eastern Shore, as described in 4VAC20-720-70 B, unless that person has first obtained a valid oyster by hand license. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest shellfish from the public oyster grounds on the seaside of the Eastern Shore by hand tong, as described in 4VAC20-720-70 B, unless that person has first obtained a valid oyster hand tong license.

4VAC20-720-80. Quotas and harvest limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person who does not possess a valid commercial fisherman's registration license and a valid gear license required by for any harvest area, as described in 4VAC20-720-75, and has not paid the current year's oyster resource user fee to harvest or possess any oysters for commercial purposes. Any individual who possesses the valid licenses a valid hand scrape or dredge license and has paid the oyster resource user fee as described in this subsection shall be limited to a maximum harvest of eight bushels per day. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to exceed a daily vessel limit of 16 bushels clean cull oysters harvested from the areas described in 4VAC20-720-40 B 8 through 18 when the vessel is using the hand scrape or oyster dredge.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person who does not possess a valid commercial fisherman's registration license and a valid gear license required by for any harvest area, as described in 4VAC20-720-75, and has not paid the current year's oyster resource user fee to harvest or possess any oysters for commercial purposes. Any individual who possesses the valid licenses a valid hand or hand tong license and has paid the oyster resource user fee as described in this subsection shall be limited to a maximum harvest of eight 12 bushels per day. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to exceed a daily vessel limit for clean cull oysters harvested from the areas described in 4VAC20-720-40 B 2 through 7 and 19 20, whereby that vessel limit shall equal the number of registered commercial fisherman licensees on board the vessel who hold a valid gear license and who have paid the oyster resource user fee multiplied by eight 12.

C. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to exceed a daily vessel limit for clean cull oysters harvested from the areas described in 4VAC20-720-40 B 1, whereby that vessel limit shall equal the number of registered commercial fisherman licensees on board the vessel who hold a valid gear license and who have paid the oyster resource user fee multiplied by 12. It shall be unlawful for any person who does not possess a valid commercial fisherman's registration license and hold a valid gear license required by for any harvest area, as described in 4VAC20-720-75, and has not paid the current year's oyster resource user fee to harvest or possess any oysters for commercial purposes. Any individual who possesses the valid licenses and has paid the oyster resource user fee as described in this subsection shall be limited to a maximum harvest of 12 bushels per day.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person who does not possess a valid commercial fisherman's registration license and a valid gear license required for any harvest area as described in 4VAC20-720-75 and has not paid the current year's oyster resource user fee to harvest or possess any oysters for commercial purposes. Any individual who possesses a valid patent tong license and has paid the oyster resource user fee as described in this subsection shall be limited to a maximum harvest of 10 bushels per day. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to exceed a daily vessel limit of 20 bushels of clean cull oysters harvested from the areas described in 4VAC20-720-40 B when the vessel is using patent tongs.

E. In the Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds Rotation Area 1 2, no blue crab bycatch is allowed. It shall be unlawful to possess on board any vessel more than 250 hard clams.

4VAC20-720-91. Harvest permit required for the James River Seed Area, including the Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Area.

A. A harvest permit shall be required for the James River Seed Area, including the Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Seed Area, for the harvesting of seed oysters.  It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest or attempt to harvest seed oysters from the James River Seed Area, including the Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Seed Area, without first obtaining and having on board a harvest permit.

B. The commissioner may cease granting permits required by § 28.2-546 of the Code of Virginia when he determines that the seed areas currently open to harvest are becoming depleted and the additional granting of such permits could seriously injure the seed areas.

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.

G. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

H. G. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a commercial hook and line within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during Thanksgiving Day and the following day or during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Friday.

I. H. Unless specified differently in other regulations, it shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.

J. I. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.

K. J. Holding any permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the permit holder.

L. K. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) fluorescent green tag. Possession of these VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit, and permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed green fluorescent tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any of these VIMS-tagged striped bass for a period of time that is longer than necessary to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.

4VAC20-252-80. Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 20 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass 36 inches or greater in total length, which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and J of 4VAC20-252-60.

4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.

A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake area.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.

5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.

6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.

D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:

1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.

2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.

3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.

4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.

5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.

E. Transfers of Chesapeake area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.

F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman, eligible for both Chesapeake area and coastal area tags, shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags, provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.

G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.

H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.

I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:

1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.

2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.

J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each individual shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.

L. Any individual with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.

M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.

FORMS (4VAC20-252)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Red drum" means red drum or channel bass and is any fish of the species Sciaenops ocellatus.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Speckled trout" means speckled trout or spotted seatrout and is any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-280-30. Size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, provided however the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook and line gear, or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day from January 1 through December 31, except as described in 4VAC20-280-40 B.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length.

E. Length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-320-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black Drum" means any fish of the species Pogonias cromis.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.

"Commercial Harvest" means any black drum taken from the tidal waters of Virginia by any harvesting method, including hook-and-line, and sold.

"Floating gill net" means any gill net that is suspended from the water surface and extends to a depth no more than midway between the water surface and bottom.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-320-60. Minimum size limit.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any black drum less than 16 inches in total length.

B. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Fishing season" means the time period of April 1 through March 31.

"Grey trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-380-30. Commercial minimum size limits.

A. For any person fishing with pound net or haul seine, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with gill nets to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any trawl boat to land any grey trout in Virginia that are less than 12 inches in total length, except that up to 100 grey trout less than 12 inches in total length may be landed by trawl but shall not be sold.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with commercial hook and line to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type not specified in subsection A, B, C, or D of this section to possess any grey trout less than nine inches in total length.

F. During a closed season it shall be unlawful for any person using any gear type which is regulated by a closed season to possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

G. Length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

4VAC20-380-60. Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and 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 one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length.

B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

4VAC20-490-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Agent" means any person who possesses the Commercial Fisherman Registration License, fishing gear license, or fishing permit of a registered commercial fisherman in order to fish that commercial fisherman's gear or sell that commercial fisherman's harvest.

"Carcass length" means that length measured in a straight line from the anterior edge of the first dorsal fin to the posterior end of the shark carcass.

"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Line, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 80.510 Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA).

"Commercial shark fisherman" means any commercial fisherman permitted to land or possess sharks (excluding spiny dogfish) that has landed and sold one pound of shark or more (excludes spiny dogfish) in that calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

"Commercially permitted aggregated large coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Commercially permitted hammerhead shark" means any of the following species:

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

"Commercially permitted nonblacknose small coastal shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

"Commercially permitted pelagic shark" means any of the following species:

Blue, Prionace glauca

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

"Commercially prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Control rule" means a time-certain date, past, present or future, used to establish participation in a limited entry fishery and may or may not include specific past harvest amounts.

"Dressed weight" means the result from processing a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or otherwise further reducing the carcass.

"Finning" means removing the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"Fork length" means the straight-line measurement of a fish from the tip of the snout length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the fork of the tail The measurement is not made along the curve of the body along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Large mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than five inches.

"Longline" means any fishing gear that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, greater than 1,000 feet in length, with multiple leaders (gangions) and hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Movable gill net"means any gill net other than a staked gill net.

"Permitted commercial gear" means rod and reel, handlines, shark shortlines, small mesh gill nets, large mesh gill nets, pound nets, and weirs.

"Recreational shore angler" means a person neither fishing from a vessel nor transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreational vessel angler" means a person fishing from a vessel or transported to or from a fishing location by a vessel.

"Recreationally permitted shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus

Blue, Prionace glauca

Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo

Bull, Carcharhinus leucas

Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran

Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus

Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini

Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus

Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis

Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena

Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

Thresher, Alopias vulpinus

Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier

"Recreationally prohibited shark" means any of the following species:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril

Basking, Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai

Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai

Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus

Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus

Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus

Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus

Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis

Longfin mako, Isurus paucus

Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus

Night, Carcharhinus signatus

Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo

Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus

Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus

Whale, Rhincodon typus

White, Carcharodon carcharias

"Research only shark" means any of the following species:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus

"Shark shortline" means a fish trotline that is set horizontally, either anchored, floating or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a mainline or groundline, 1,000 feet in length or less, with multiple leaders (gangions) and no more than 50 corrodible circle hooks, whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.

"Small mesh gill net" means any gill net with a stretched mesh of equal to or less than five inches.

"Smooth dogfish" means any shark of the species Mustelus canis. Smooth dogfish are also known as "smoothhound shark."

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spiny dogfish" means any shark of the species Squalus acanthias.

4VAC20-500-20. Definition.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Eel" or "eels," as described in this chapter, means the eel species Anguilla rostrata.

"Elver" means any eel of less than six inches in total length.

"Land" or "landing" means to enter port with eels on board any boat or vessel, to begin offloading eels, or to offload eels.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-500-35. Minimum size limit.

It shall be unlawful for any individual to take, catch, possess, or land any eels less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-510-12. Definitions.

The following term terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat vessel participating in the recreational cobia fishery.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-510-30. Minimum size limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any amberjack less than 32 inches in total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to take, harvest, or possess any cobia less than 37 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or have in possession any recreationally harvested cobia less than 40 inches in total length.

D. Total length is measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-510)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

4VAC20-540-20. Definition.

The following word words and term terms, when used in the chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trip" means that period during which the vessel shall have left a dockside landing place, relocated to waters where fishing for Spanish mackerel by the vessel is legally permitted, and returned to a dockside landing place.

4VAC20-540-40. Minimum size limits established.

A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.

B. Minimum size limit for king mackerel is established at 27 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any Spanish mackerel less than 14 inches in total length.

D. Except as provided in subsection F E of this section it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any king mackerel less than 27 inches in total length.

E. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for the purposes of this chapter.

F. E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the taking, catching, or possession of any king mackerel, less than 27 inches in total length, by a licensed pound net.

4VAC20-620-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of Virginia, excluding the Potomac River tributaries and the coastal area as defined in this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea and all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County, including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland and the City of Virginia Beach, including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry.

"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.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond, thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Safe harbor" means that a vessel has been authorized by the commissioner to enter Virginia waters from federal waters solely to either dock temporarily at a Virginia seafood buyer's place of business or traverse the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to North Carolina.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-620-50. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 16.5 inches in total length, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit.

E. D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the landing of summer flounder in Virginia that were legally harvested in the Potomac River.

4VAC20-910-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Scup" means any fish of the species Stenotomus chrysops, commonly referred to as porgy.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-910-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be eight inches in total length.

C. Length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

D. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of any scup of a total length less than the designated minimum sizes in subsections A and B of this section.

E. D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any scup less than nine inches in total length.

4VAC20-950-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Black sea bass" means any fish of the species Centropristis striata.

"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.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, excluding the caudal fin filament, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-950-30. Minimum size limit.

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

D. Total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog harvested for commercial purposes shall be 15 inches in total length.

B. The minimum size of tautog harvested for recreational purposes shall be 16 inches in total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog of a total length less than the designated minimum size limit.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

FORMS (4VAC20-1120)

2017 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 4/2017)

2018 Recreational/Charter Reporting Form (rev. 8/2018)

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-20, 4VAC20-252-30, 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC20-252-160).

4VAC20-280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout and Red Drum (amending 4VAC20-280-20, 4VAC20-280-30).

4VAC20-320. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (amending 4VAC20-320-20, 4VAC20-320-60).

4VAC20-380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (amending 4VAC20-380-20, 4VAC20-380-30, 4VAC20-380-60).

4VAC20-490. Pertaining to Sharks (amending 4VAC20-490-20).

4VAC20-500. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (amending 4VAC20-500-20, 4VAC20-500-35).

4VAC20-510. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (amending 4VAC20-510-12, 4VAC20-510-30).

4VAC20-540. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (amending 4VAC20-540-20, 4VAC20-540-40).

4VAC20-620. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (amending 4VAC20-620-20, 4VAC20-620-50).

4VAC20-910. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (amending 4VAC20-910-20, 4VAC20-910-30).

4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-20, 4VAC20-950-30).

4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-20, 4VAC20-960-30).

4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper.

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

Effective Date: September 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jennifer Farmer, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, or email jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments create conformity in total length measurements and descriptions in all regulations and establish a uniform definition and process for measuring finfish.

4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Chesapeake area" means the area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.

"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined by this section.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Commercial fishing" or "fishing commercially" or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; thence extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and thence north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, thence westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Recreational fishing" or "fishing recreationally" or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose, or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.

"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.

"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.

"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.

"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:

1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.

2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.

3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.

4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.

"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.

"Striped bass" means any fish of the species Morone saxatilis, including any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.

"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.

"Trophy-size striped bass" means any striped bass that is 36 inches or greater in total length.

4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, except in accord with the provisions of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and in accord with the provisions of this chapter.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass taken from the tidal waters of Virginia, including Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, during a time, from an area, and with a gear type when there is no open season set forth in this chapter for such time, area, and gear type.

C. Except for those persons permitted in accordance with 4VAC20-252-170, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass less than 18 inches total length at any time.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any striped bass that measures less than the minimum size or more than the maximum size applicable to the open season when fishing occurs, except as described in 4VAC20-252-115.

E. Total length measurement of striped bass shall be in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

F. E. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.