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 270. Pertaining to Blue Crab Fishery
11/21/2024

4VAC20-270-55. Minimum size limits.

A. From the beginning of the season as described in 4VAC20-270-40 through July 15, it shall be unlawful for any person to harvest, possess, sell, or offer for sale more than 10 peeler crabs, per United States standard bushel, or 5.0% of peeler crabs in any other container, that measure less than 3-1/4 inches across the shell from tip to tip of the longest spikes. From July 16 through the end of the season as described in 4VAC20-270-40, it shall be unlawful for any person to harvest, possess, sell, or offer for sale more than 10 peeler crabs, per United States standard bushel, or 5.0% of peeler crabs in any other container, that measure less than 3-1/2 inches across the shell from tip to tip of the longest spikes, except as described in subsections B and C of this section.

B. From July 16 through the end of the season as described in 4VAC20-270-40, it shall be unlawful for any person to harvest, possess, sell, or offer for sale more than 10 peeler crabs, per United States standard bushel, or 5.0% of peeler crabs in any other container, that are harvested from waters on the ocean side of Accomack and Northampton Counties and measure less than 3-1/4 inches across the shell from tip to tip of the longest spikes, except as described in subsection C of this section.

C. In the enforcement of these peeler crab minimum size limits aboard a vessel, the marine police officer shall select a single container of peeler crabs of the officer's choosing to determine if the contents of that container violate the minimum size and tolerance described in this section. If the officer determines the contents of the container are in violation, then the officer shall return all peeler crabs on board the vessel to the water alive.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, harvest, possess, sell or offer for sale, or to destroy in any manner any soft crab that measures less than 3-1/2 inches across the shell from tip to tip of the longest spikes.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 14, eff. February 29, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 14, eff. March 5, 2002; Volume 24, Issue 15, eff. March 1, 2008; Volume 24, Issue 19, eff. April 30, 2008; Volume 25, Issue 16, eff. March 26, 2009; Volume 29, Issue 8, eff. November 26, 2012; Volume 30, Issue 7, eff. November 21, 2013; Volume 30, Issue 24, eff. July 1, 2014; Volume 31, Issue 21, eff. July 5, 2015; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. July 5, 2016; Volume 33, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2017; Volume 37, Issue 7, eff. November 1, 2020; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. July 5, 2021; Volume 40, Issue 24, eff. July 5, 2024.

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.