LIS

Virginia Law

Administrative Code

Creating a Report: Check the sections you'd like to appear in the report, then use the "Create Report" button at the bottom of the page to generate your report. Once the report is generated you'll then have the option to download it as a pdf, print or email the report.

Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4. Conservation And Natural Resources
Agency 20. Marine Resources Commission
Chapter 1360. Pertaining to Commercial Electrofishing
3/10/2025

4VAC20-1360-40. Prohibitions.

A. It shall be unlawful for any individual to harvest any fish immobilized by commercial electrofishing gear without possessing a Commercial Fisherman Registration License and Fish Dip Net License or a Commercial Electrofishing License.

B. It shall be unlawful for any individual in the commercial electrofishing fishery to take, harvest, or possess any species other than blue catfish or flathead catfish.

C. It shall be unlawful for any individual licensed under the provisions of 4VAC20-1360-30 to:

1. Fail to be onboard the electrofishing vessel when conducting commercial electrofishing.

2. Conduct commercial electrofishing from October 16 through April 30.

3. Conduct commercial electrofishing between 11:59 a.m. Friday and 12:01 a.m. Monday.

4. Conduct commercial electrofishing within 300 yards of any fixed fishing devices or within 100 yards of any other marked commercial fishing gear.

5. Conduct commercial electrofishing within the week prior to or during any local sampling conducted by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. The dates and locations of such sampling will be provided to licensees.

6. Fail to contact the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Operations Station toll-free line at 1-800-541-4646 when intending to conduct commercial electrofishing within the following 24-hour period to report the specific location and estimated time of fishing.

7. Conduct commercial electrofishing in Virginia waters, except in the harvest area specified on the individual's Commercial Electrofishing License.

8. Conduct commercial electrofishing within 300 yards of any public boat ramp, public or private pier, or where people are in the water, including such activities as swimming and diving.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2020; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 16, eff. March 1, 2025.

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.