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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4. Conservation And Natural Resources
Agency 20. Marine Resources Commission
Chapter 110. Pertaining to Lobsters
12/26/2024

4VAC20-110-15. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Berried female" means a female lobster bearing eggs attached to the abdominal appendages.

"Carapace" means the unsegmented body shell of the lobster.

"Carapace length" means the straight line measurement from the rear of the eye socket parallel to the center line of the carapace to the posterior edge of the carapace.

"Escape vent" means an opening in a lobster pot designed to allow for the escapement of undersized lobster.

"Ghost panel" means a panel or other mechanism in a lobster trap designed to allow for the escapement of lobster after a period of time if the trap has been abandoned or lost.

"Land" or "landing" means to (i) enter port with finfish, shellfish, crustaceans, or other marine seafood on board any boat or vessel; (ii) begin offloading finfish, shellfish, crustaceans, or other marine seafood; or (iii) offload finfish, shellfish, crustaceans, or other marine seafood.

"Lobster" means any crustacean of the species Homarus americanus.

"V-notched female lobster" means any female lobster bearing a V-shaped notch (i.e., a straight-sided triangular cut without setal hairs, at least 1/4 inch in depth and not greater than 1/2 inch in depth and tapering to a sharp point) in the flipper next to the right of the center flipper as viewed from the rear of the female lobster. V-notched female lobster also means any female that is mutilated in a manner that could hide, obscure, or obliterate such a mark.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 5, eff. October 30, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2012; Volume 36, Issue 15, eff. March 1, 2020.

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