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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4. Conservation And Natural Resources
Agency 20. Marine Resources Commission
Chapter 220. Pertaining to the Taking of Finfish by Gill Nets
11/23/2024

4VAC20-220-20. Gill nets.

A. Any gill net, whether floating or submerged, that is not assigned a fixed location shall be set in a straight line. In enforcing this provision, Marine Patrol Officers shall take into consideration the effect of wind and tide on any net. Nothing in this subsection shall pertain to mullet nets when used in a directed fishery for mullet.

B. Any gill net, whether floating or submerged, that is not assigned a fixed location shall have no greater depth than 330 inches total stretched mesh measurement. Measurement shall be vertically from top to bottom. Possession of any gill net, rigged with floats and weights, and in excess of the aforementioned depth shall be deemed a violation of this subsection except that any person transitting Virginia's waters with any gill net not meeting the requirements of this chapter shall first notify and obtain permission from the Commissioner of Marine Resources.

C. Any gill net, whether floating or submerged, that is not assigned a fixed location shall be fished no closer than 200 feet to any other such gill net. No part of any such gill net shall be closer than 200 feet to any part of any other such gill net. In enforcing this provision, Marine Patrol Officers shall take into consideration the effect of wind and tide on the nets in question.

D. The provisions of subsection C of this section shall not be applicable to those gill nets without an assigned fixed location which are set and fished in the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. However, no two or more such gill nets shall be fixed or tied end-to-end such that the maximum licensed length prescribed by law is exceeded.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR450-01-0028 § 2, eff. April 1, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 15, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 1995.

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