Section 135. Gill net mesh size and tending restrictions: exemptions

A. Any registered commercial fisherman who is permitted to harvest striped bass from the coastal area in accordance with 4VAC20-252-130 C and sets or fishes any gill net in the coastal area shall be exempt from the maximum gill net mesh size requirements during November and December as described in 4VAC20-430-65 A and B.

B. Any registered commercial fisherman who is permitted to harvest striped bass from the coastal area in accordance with 4VAC20-252-130 C and sets or fishes any gill net seven inches or greater in stretched mesh in the coastal area shall be exempt from the tending requirements described in 4VAC20-430-65 E and F during the months of November and December.

C. Any registered commercial fisherman who is permitted to harvest striped bass from the coastal area in accordance with 4VAC20-252-130 C shall display an optic yellow flag issued by the commission while fishing for striped bass in the coastal area and while transiting the coastal area before and after a striped bass fishing trip. This flag shall be prominently displayed on the starboard side of the vessel.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 21, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 2005; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 07, eff. November 14, 2005; Volume 23, Issue 08, eff. January 1, 2007; Volume 26, Issue 01, eff. September 1, 2009.

Statutory Authority

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