4VAC20-960 Pertaining to Tautog

REGULATIONS

Vol. 29 Iss. 8 - December 17, 2012

TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION

Chapter 960

Final Regulation

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Marine Resources Commission is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 11 of the Code of Virginia; however, the commission is required to publish the full text of final regulations.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-960. Pertaining to Tautog (amending 4VAC20-960-45, 4VAC20-960-47).

Statutory Authority: § 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: January 1, 2013.

Agency Contact: Jane Warren, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone [phone], FAX [phone], or email [e-mail].

Summary:

The amendments establish (i) a closed commercial fishing season from January 22 through the last day of February and from May 1 through October 31 and (ii) a closed recreational fishing season from May 1 through September 19.

4VAC20-960-45. Recreational fishing season and possession limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook and line, rod and reel, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more than four three tautog. 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 persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by four three. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any tautog taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

B. Possession of any quantity of tautog which exceeds the possession limit described in subsection A of this section shall be presumed to be for commercial purposes.

C. The 2012 recreational fishing season shall be closed from April 16 through July 31 May 1 through September 19.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or possess any tautog during any closed recreational fishing season.

4VAC20-960-47. Commercial fishing season and possession limits.

The 2012 commercial fishing season shall be closed from January 18 through March 15 January 22 through the last day of February and May 1 through August 31 October 31, and it shall be unlawful for any person to possess tautog for commercial purposes during this period.

VA.R. Doc. No. R13-3464; Filed November 27, 2012, 2:29 p.m.