4VAC20-252 Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass

REGULATIONS

Vol. 28 Iss. 25 - August 13, 2012

TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION

Chapter 252

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: 4VAC20-252. Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass (amending 4VAC20-252-90, 4VAC20-252-100).

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

Effective Date: August 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 maintain an 18-inch minimum size limit, a 28-inch maximum size limit, and a two-fish possession limit for striped bass, except one fish of the two-fish possession limit may be greater than 28 inches total length. These measures apply to the Chesapeake Area recreational striped bass fishery and the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River recreational striped bass fishery from October 4 through December 31.

4VAC20-252-90. Bay fall striped bass recreational fishery.

A. The open season for the bay fall striped bass recreational fishery shall be October 4 through December 31, inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 18 inches total length.

D. The maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection F of this section; however, the maximum size limit shall only apply to one fish of the possession limit.

E. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

F. The possession limits described in subsection E of this section may consist of only one striped bass 34 inches or greater.

4VAC20-252-100. Potomac River tributaries summer/fall striped bass recreational fishery.

A. The open season for the Potomac River tributaries summer/fall striped bass fishery shall correspond to the open summer/fall season as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Potomac River tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 18 inches total length.

D. The maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection F of this section; however, the maximum size limit shall only apply to one fish of the possession limit.

E. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

F. The possession limits described in subsection E of this section may consist of only one striped bass 34 inches or greater.

VA.R. Doc. No. R12-3320; Filed July 26, 2012, 4:17 p.m.