CHAPTER:  PROHIBITION OF CRAB DREDGING IN VIRGINIA WATERS

VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION
"PROHIBITION OF CRAB DREDGING IN VIRGINIA WATERS "
CHAPTER 4 VAC 20-1140-10 ET SEQ.

This chapter closes the 2012/2013 crab dredging season in Virginia tidal waters, in order to conserve female crabs, as the exploitation rate, by the crab dredge fishery, on female crabs, most of which have not spawned for the first time, can jeopardize the current and future biological health of this resource.  This chapter is promulgated pursuant to the authority contained in §§28.2-201, 28.2-203, 28.2-203.1 and 28.2-707 of the Code of Virginia.  This chapter amends and re-adopts, as amended, previous Chapter 4 VAC 20-1140-10 et seq., which was promulgated September 27, 2011 and made effective on October 1, 2011.  The effective date of this chapter is November 30, 2012.

4 VAC 20-1140-10.  PURPOSE.

This chapter promotes conservation of the blue crab resource, especially female crabs that constitute mostly all of the crab dredge harvest, with many of those female crabs yet to produce their initial spawn.  The provisions in this chapter are in response to the reduced abundance of the blue crab resource and its overexploitation, especially of female crabs.

4 VAC 20-1140-20. CRAB DREDGING PROHIBITED.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 28.2-707 of the Code of Virginia, the crab dredging season of December 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013 is closed, and it shall be unlawful to use a dredge for catching crabs from the waters of the Commonwealth during that season.

4 VAC 1140-30. Penalty.

As set forth in §28.2-903 of the Code of Virginia, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this chapter committed by the same person within 12 months of a prior violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.