4VAC20-950 Pertaining to Black Sea Bass

REGULATIONS

Vol. 25 Iss. 16 - April 13, 2009

TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION

Chapter 950

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 12 of the Code of Virginia; however, the commission is required to publish the full text of final regulations.

Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-950. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (amending 4VAC20-950-30).

Statutory Authority: §§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-204.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: April 1, 2009.

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

Summary:

The amendment changes the minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear from 12 inches to 12-1/2 inches.

4VAC20-950-30. 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 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.

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.

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

VA.R. Doc. No. R09-1793; Filed March 26, 2009, 3:54 p.m.