Section 55. Possession limit

A. It shall be unlawful for any individual fishing with recreational hook and line, rod and reel, spear, gig, or other recreational gear to possess more than 25 eels per day, except as described in subsection B of this section for charter boats and head boats. When fishing is 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 individuals on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by 25, except as described in subsection B of this section for charter boats and head boats. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any eel taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

B. It shall be unlawful for any captain or mate of any legally licensed charter boat or head boat to possess more than 50 eels per day. When fishing is from a charter boat or head boat, where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the charter boat or head boat and shall be equal to the number of captains and mates on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by 50. Passengers on any charter boat or head boat shall possess no more than 25 eels per passenger per day. The captain or operator of the charter boat or head boat shall be responsible for any possession limit. Any eel taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

C. Possession of any quantity of eel that exceeds the possession limit described in subsection A or B of this section shall be presumed to be for commercial purposes.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 16, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.