Section 30. Spadefish possession limit

A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with recreational hook and line, rod and reel, hand line, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more than four spadefish. Any spadefish taken after the possession limit of four fish has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

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 four. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with a licensed commercial hook and line to possess more than six spadefish. Any spadefish taken by a licensed commercial hook-and-line fisherman after the possession limit of six fish has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 13, Issue 20, eff. May 30, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 1997; Volume 14, Issue 03, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 18, Issue 05, eff. January 1, 2002.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.