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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4. Conservation And Natural Resources
Agency 20. Marine Resources Commission
Chapter 380. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish)
11/5/2024

4VAC20-380-31. Grey trout harvested by commercial pound net.

A. The open seasons on grey trout harvested by pound net shall be April 1 through April 30 and May 23 through September 12. The restricted seasons on grey trout harvested by pound net shall be May 1 through May 22 and September 13 through March 31 except as provided in subdivision 1 of this subsection.

1. Any pound net fisherman who holds two or three pound net licenses in accordance with the provisions of 4VAC20-600 may forfeit only one of those licenses to operate under the rules for an open season as established in this section during a restricted season in the current fishing year. Any pound net fisherman who holds four, five, or six pound net licenses in accordance with the provisions of 4VAC20-600 may forfeit only two of those licenses to operate under the rules for an open season as established in this section during a restricted season in the current fishing year. Any pound net fisherman who holds seven, eight, or nine pound net licenses in accordance with the provisions of 4VAC20-600 may forfeit only three of those licenses to operate under the rules for an open season as established in this section during a restricted season in the current fishing year. Forfeiture of any license shall be through March 31 of each fishing year and shall occur prior to May 1 of each fishing year.

2. Any pound net licensee who forfeits a license pursuant to subdivision 1 of this subsection shall retain his priority rights to such locations for future licensing until April 1 of the following fishing year. Any pound net fisherman who forfeits one or more pound net licenses may reclaim such licenses during the period of March 15 of the current fishing year through April 1 of the following fishing year but shall not set or fish any pound nets provided for by such licenses prior to April 1.

3. Those pound net licensees who hold multiple gear licenses and satisfy the requirement of subdivision 1 of this subsection may transfer an unused license to a licensee who holds a single pound net license.

B. During any open season described in this section, there shall be no minimum size limit on grey trout for any person fishing with a pound net.

C. During any restricted season described in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person fishing with a pound net to land or possess any grey trout less than 12 inches in total length.

D. During any open season described in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person fishing with a pound net to exceed the vessel possession limit for grey trout of 100 pounds per day or trip, whichever is the longer period of time.

E. During any restricted season described in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person fishing with a pound net to exceed the vessel possession limit for grey trout of 100 pounds per day or trip, whichever is the longer period of time. Also, during any restricted season described in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to land or possess any quantity of grey trout that is more than the total weight of all other species on board the vessel.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2021.

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