Section 115. Exemptions from size limits and closed fishing seasons for recreational striped bass fishing tournam

A. The commissioner or his designee may grant exemptions for any recreational fishing tournament from size and season limitations described in 4VAC20-252-80, 4VAC-20-252-90, 4VAC20-252-100 and 4VAC20-252-110 provided that the tournament meets all of the following conditions:

1. The tournament operates for a limited duration, with a maximum of three consecutive days.

2. The tournament format provides for the live release of all fish and significant penalties for entrants bringing in or weighing in dead striped bass.

3. The tournament director submits a written proposal to the commissioner detailing the measures the tournament will use to ensure the survivability of fish entered in the tournament, to include capture, handling and storage of fish by tournament entrants on the water during the competition, by tournament officials at the weigh-in, by tournament officials when transporting and returning the fish to the water, and any penalties that will apply to entrants bringing in or weighing dead fish. Such proposal must be submitted no later than 120 days prior to the tournament, and the proposal must be determined by the commissioner to adequately address potential mortality issues.

4. Tournament officials must agree to provide any or all fish entered in the tournament to the Marine Resources Commission, or to any designee of the Marine Resources Commission, upon written request, and tournament officials agree to allow Marine Resources Commission staff access to all tournament areas during the event for the purposes of observation and assessment, upon request.

B. Any determination by the commissioner or his designee that approval of any requested recreational striped bass tournament could jeopardize the status of the striped bass stock or prove to be an issue of compliance with the interstate fishery management plan will result in disapproval of that request.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2006.

Statutory Authority

§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-204.1 of the Code of Virginia.