4VAC20-1120 Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper

REGULATIONS

Vol. 28 Iss. 12 - February 13, 2012

TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION

Chapter 1120

Final Regulation

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The following regulation filed by the Marine Resources Commission is exempt 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: 4VAC20-1120. Pertaining to Tilefish and Grouper (amending 4VAC20-1120-40).

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

Effective Date: February 1, 2012.

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 revise the commercial possession limits for tilefish.

4VAC20-1120-40. Commercial limitations.

A. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land in Virginia more than 300 pounds of tilefish, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, per day when commercial fishing. person harvesting tilefish when commercial fishing, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, to do any of the following:

1. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia waters any amount of tilefish, in combination, in excess of 500 pounds.

2. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia waters any amount of blueline tilefish in excess of 200 pounds.

3. Possess aboard any vessel any amount of golden tilefish during any in-season closure announced by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

B. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land in Virginia more than 175 pounds of grouper, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, per day when commercial fishing.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer at sea to another person or vessel any harvest of tilefish or grouper.

VA.R. Doc. No. R12-3094; Filed January 27, 2012, 11:19 a.m.