Section 30. Minimum size limit

A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches, total length.

B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including but not limited to hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 12-1/2 inches, 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. 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, total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70.

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

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 13, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 09, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 14, Issue 16, eff. April 1, 1998; Volume 17, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 2001; Volume 18, Issue 14, eff. March 4, 2002; Volume 19, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 2003; Volume 25, Issue 16, eff. April 1, 2009; Volume 30, Issue 04, eff. October 1, 2013.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.