VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION
"PERTAINING TO MONKFISH (GOOSEFISH)"
REGULATION 4 VAC 20-1080-10 ET. SEQ.
PREAMBLE
This chapter establishes limitations on the harvest and landings
of Monkfish in Virginia. This chapter also establishes gear restrictions, for
gill nets set or fished east of the COLREGS lines, in Virginia waters.
This chapter is promulgated pursuant to the authority contained in § 28.2-201
of the Code of Virginia. The effective date of this chapter is May 1, 2005.
4 VAC 20-1080-10. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to conserve and protect sea turtle stocks in
Virginia waters.
4 VAC 20-1080-20. DEFINITIONS.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified
in Coastal Pilot, 35th and
36th editions by Lighthouse Press.
"Monkfish (Goosefish)" means any goosefish of the species Lophius
americanus.
"Tie-down" means a short length of twine or other similar material, with one end tied to the bottom line of a gill net and the other end tied to the top line of the gill net to create a loose webbing or pocket in the net.
4 VAC 20-1080-30. HARVEST AND LANDING LIMITATIONS.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, harvest, or possess any amount of Monkfish, in Virginia waters, that exceeds 50 pounds of tails or 166 pounds of whole fish, except as described in subsection B of this section.
B. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land or possess any amount of Monkfish in Virginia that exceeds 50 pounds of tails or 166 pounds of whole fish, unless that vessel holds an applicable Federal Fisheries Permit that authorizes harvest and possession of Monkfish.
4 VAC 20-1080-40. GEAR RESTRICTIONS.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use tie-downs in any gill net set or fished east of the COLREGS Line and north of the North Carolina-Virginia border and south of the Maryland-Virginia border, in Virginia waters, from May 1 through December 31.
4 VAC 20-1080-50. PENALTY.
As set forth in § 28.2-903 of the Code of Virginia, any person violating any provision of this regulation shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this regulation committed by the same person within twelve months of a prior violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
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