Agency 20. Marine Resources Commission
- Preface
- Agency Summary
- Chapter 10
- Pertaining to Fishing in Broad and Linkhorn BaysRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Devices and Seasons; Broad and Linkhorn Bays
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 20
- Pertaining to the Licensing of Fixed Fishing DevicesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Location, Measurements, and Modified Pound Net Leader Requirements
- Section 35
- No-Fishing Zone
- Section 40
- Priority Rights; General
- Section 50
- Priority Rights; Renewal by Current Licensee
- Section 60
- Priority Rights; Licensed Location, Request by Other Than Current Licensee
- Section 70
- Priority Rights; Vacant Location
- Section 80
- Transfer and Vested Rights
- Section 90
- Penalty
- Chapter 25
- Pertaining to Pound Net Siting Public Interest ReviewRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Content and Publication of Public Notice
- Section 30
- Public Comment and Commission Review
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 30
- Pertaining to the Licensing of Crab Traps and Pounds [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 40
- Regulations Pertaining to Crab Catch Limits [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 50
- Pertaining to Taking or Catching of Oysters [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 60
- Pertaining to the Display of Licenses to Catch Finfish or CrabsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Display
- Section 30
- Violation and Penalty
- Chapter 70
- Pertaining to the Harvesting of ClamsRead all
- Part I
- Purpose and Definitions
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Part II
- Pertaining to the Taking or Catching of Soft Shell Clams from Leased Grounds
- Section 30
- License Required for Use of a Hydraulic Dredge on Leased Ground
- Section 40
- Additional Permits Required for Use of a Hydraulic Dredge on Leased Ground
- Section 50
- Operation of a Hydraulic Dredge on Leased Ground
- Part III
- Pertaining to the Taking or Catching of Soft Shell Clams from Public or Unassigned Grounds
- Section 60
- Dredge Prohibited
- Section 70
- License Required for Use of a Hydraulic Dredge on Public Ground
- Section 80
- Additional Permit Required for Use of a Hydraulic Dredge on Public Ground
- Section 90
- Operation of a Hydraulic Dredge on Public Ground
- Part IV
- Pertaining to the Taking or Catching of Hard Shell Clams from Public, Unassigned and Leased Ground
- Section 100
- Crab Dredge Boat Not to Take Clams
- Section 110
- Hydraulic Dredge
- Section 120
- Conventional Dredge
- Section 130
- Rakes
- Section 135
- Water Rakes
- Section 140
- License Required
- Part V
- Penalty and Sanctions
- Section 150
- Penalty
- Section 160
- Suspension and Revocation of License
- Chapter 80
- Pertaining to the Setting of Fishing Devices Proximate to Chesapeake Bay Bridge-TunnelRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Gill Nets
- Section 30
- Fixed Fishing Devices
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 90
- Pertaining to Dredging for Crabs [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 100
- Pertaining to the Taking of Clams on Seaside of Eastern ShoreRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Hydraulic Method Prohibited
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 110
- Pertaining to LobstersRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Minimum and Maximum Size Limit
- Section 30
- Possession Prohibitions
- Section 40
- Marking of Lobsters
- Section 50
- Repealed
- Section 55
- Gear Requirements
- Section 60
- Commercial Fishery Permit Requirements
- Section 65
- Landing Limit
- Section 70
- Penalty
- Chapter 120
- Pertaining to Public Notice of Applications for Permits for Certain Uses of State-Owned BottomlandsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- General
- Section 30
- Content and Publication
- Section 40
- Commissioner's Responsibility and Authority
- Chapter 130
- Pertaining to Prohibited Areas for Use of Patent TongsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Poquoson River Area
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 140
- Pertaining to Identification of Crab Pots, Peeler Pots, Eel Pots, and Fish PotsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Identification of Eel Pots
- Section 20
- Identification of Fish Pots
- Section 25
- Identification of Crab Pots and Peeler Pots
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 150
- Pertaining to the Dredging of Conchs (Also Known As Whelks)Read all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- General
- Section 30
- Areas and Seasons
- Section 40
- Days and Hours
- Section 50
- Type and Operation of Dredge
- Section 60
- License
- Section 70
- Limitation of Catch
- Section 80
- [Repealed]
- Section 100
- Penalty
- Chapter 160
- Pertaining to the Leasing of Oyster Planting Ground [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 170
- Pertaining to the Removal of NetsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- General
- Section 30
- Violation
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 180
- Pertaining to the Taking of Eels and Elvers [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 190
- Pertaining to Measuring Mesh Size of Menhaden NetsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Procedure
- Section 40
- Compliance
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 200
- Pertaining to the Requirements for Reporting Oyster Transactions and Payment of Taxes [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 210
- Pertaining to the Dredging for Oysters [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 220
- Pertaining to the Taking of Finfish by Gill NetsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Gill Nets
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 230
- Pertaining to the Harvesting of Surf ClamsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- License
- Section 40
- Minimum Length
- Section 50
- Enforcement
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 240
- Pertaining to the Tangier Island Crab Scrape SanctuaryRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Gear Limitation; Closed Area
- Section 25
- Bycatch Allowance
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 250
- Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 251
- Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 252
- Pertaining to Atlantic Striped BassRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- General Prohibitions and Requirements
- Section 40
- Severability
- Section 50
- Concerning Recreational Fishing: General
- Section 55
- [Repealed]
- Section 60
- [Repealed]
- Section 70
- [Repealed]
- Section 80
- Chesapeake Bay and Its Tributaries Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery
- Section 85
- [Repealed]
- Section 90
- Chesapeake Bay and Its Tributaries Fall Striped Bass Recreational Fishery
- Section 100
- Potomac River Tributaries Summer/Fall Striped Bass Recreational Fishery
- Section 110
- Coastal Area Striped Bass Recreational Fishery
- Section 115
- Repealed
- Section 120
- Concerning Commercial Fishing: General
- Section 130
- Entry Limits, Permits, and Reports
- Section 135
- Gill Net Mesh Size and Tending Restrictions: Exemptions
- Section 140
- Commercial Seasons, Areas, and Size Limits
- Section 150
- Individual Commercial Harvest Quota
- Section 155
- Individual Transferable Shares Monitoring and Penalties
- Section 160
- Individual Transferable Shares; Tagging
- Section 170
- Aquaculture of Striped Bass; Permit Required
- Section 180
- [Repealed]
- Section 190
- [Repealed]
- Section 200
- [Repealed]
- Section 210
- [Repealed]
- Section 220
- Penalty
- Section 230
- Sanctions
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-252)
- Chapter 260
- Pertaining to Designation of Seed Areas and Clean Cull AreasRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Designation of Seed Areas and Clean Cull Areas
- Section 30
- Minimum Cull Size
- Section 35
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- Culling Tolerances or Standards
- Section 50
- Culling and Inspection Procedures
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 270
- Pertaining to Blue Crab FisheryRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Sunday Prohibition and Limited Exception for Possession of Male Hard Crabs
- Section 25
- Lawful Commercial Harvest Gears
- Section 30
- Daily Time Limits for Commercial Harvest
- Section 40
- Season Limits
- Section 50
- Peeler Crab Pot and Hard Crab Pot Limits
- Section 51
- Daily Commercial Harvester, Vessel, and Harvest and Possession Limits
- Section 52
- Area Restriction
- Section 55
- Minimum Size Limits
- Section 56
- Daily Recreational Harvest and Possession Limit
- Section 57
- Crab Dredge Fishery
- Section 58
- [Repealed]
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 280
- Pertaining to Speckled TroutRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Size and Possession Limits
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- Directed Commercial Landings Quota and Daily Incidental Catch Limit
- Section 55
- Seafood Buyer Reporting Requirements
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 290
- Marking of Leased Oyster Planting GroundRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- General
- Section 30
- Method and Manner of Marking
- Section 40
- Maintenance
- Section 45
- Removal of Markers
- Section 50
- Exception
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 300
- Pertaining to Crab Catch Limits [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 310
- Pertaining to the Relaying of ShellfishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- General Provisions
- Section 30
- On-Bottom Container Construction
- Section 35
- Floating Container Construction
- Section 40
- Loading and Deployment
- Section 50
- Harvest
- Section 55
- Relay Season Established
- Section 60
- Penalty
- DIBR
- Documents Incorporated by Reference (4VAC20-310)
- Chapter 320
- Pertaining to the Taking of Black DrumRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Commercial Harvest Quota
- Section 40
- Possession Limits on Hook and Line Harvests
- Section 50
- Special Management Area/Time Restrictions
- Section 60
- Minimum Size Limit
- Section 65
- Gill Net Mesh Size and Tending Restrictions: Exemptions
- Section 70
- Commercial Harvest Permits Required
- Section 80
- Mandatory Reporting of Commercial Harvest
- Section 90
- Penalty
- Chapter 330
- Pertaining to the Taking of Shellfish from Condemned AreasRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Harvesting Restrictions
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 333
- Virginia General Permit #1 (Vgp#1) for Projects Undertaken by the Virginia Department of Transportation in, on or over State-Owned Subaqueous Lands Anywhere within the CommonwealthRead all
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Types of Permits
- Section 30
- Authorization and Conditions
- Section 40
- Procedures
- Chapter 335
- Pertaining to on-Bottom Shellfish Aquaculture ActivitiesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Requirements and Conditions
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 336
- General Permit No. 3 Pertaining to Noncommercial Riparian Shellfish Growing ActivitiesRead all
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Discussion
- Section 30
- Procedures
- Section 40
- Authorization and Conditions
- Chapter 337
- Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (Sav) Transplantation GuidelinesRead all
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Background
- Section 30
- Permitting
- Chapter 340
- Public Participation GuidelinesRead all
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Section 20
- General
- Section 30
- Public Participation Procedures
- Section 40
- Transition
- Chapter 345
- General Wetlands Permit for Emergency SituationsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Authority and Applicability
- Section 40
- Procedures for Issuing Permit
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-345)
- Chapter 350
- Pertaining to Prohibiting the Sale of BillfishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definition
- Section 30
- Prohibition of Sale
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 360
- Criteria for the Siting of Marinas or Community Facilities for Boat MooringRead all
- Section 10
- Objective
- Section 20
- Goals
- Section 30
- Background
- Section 40
- Policy
- Section 50
- Definitions
- Section 60
- General Siting Criteria
- Section 70
- Specific Siting Guidelines
- Section 80
- Best Management Practices (Bmp's)
- Section 90
- Siting Criteria Check List
- DIBR
- Documents Incorporated by Reference (4VAC20-360)
- Chapter 370
- Pertaining to the Culling of CrabsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Culling Requirements
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 380
- Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish)Read all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 31
- Grey Trout Harvested by Commercial Pound Net
- Section 32
- Grey Trout Harvested by Commercial Gill Net
- Section 33
- GreyTrout Harvested by Commercial Trawl
- Section 34
- GreyTrout Harvested by Commercial Haul Seine
- Section 35
- GreyTrout Harvested by Commercial Hook-And-Line
- Section 36
- GreyTrout Harvested by Other Commercial Gears
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Section 60
- Recreational Fishing Seasons, Minimum Size Limits, and Possession Limits
- Section 70
- Penalty
- Chapter 390
- Wetlands Mitigation -- Compensation PolicyRead all
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Policy
- Section 30
- General Criteria
- Section 40
- Specific Criteria
- Section 50
- Supplemental Guidelines
- Chapter 395
- General Permit for Emergency Situations and Water Quality Improvement ProjectsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Authority and Applicability
- Section 40
- Conditions and Procedures for Issuing General Permits
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-395)
- Chapter 398
- Ballast Water Discharge ReportingRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Voluntary Ballast Water Management Guidelines
- Section 40
- Mandatory Filing Requirements
- Section 50
- Exceptions
- Section 60
- Ballast Water Control Report Form
- Section 70
- Mandatory Recordkeeping Requirements
- Section 80
- Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-398)
- Chapter 400
- Criteria for the Placement of Sandy Dredged Material Along Beaches in the CommonwealthRead all
- Section 10
- Objective and Goals
- Section 20
- Purpose
- Section 30
- Policy
- Section 40
- General Criteria
- Section 50
- Specific Criteria
- Chapter 410
- Pertaining to the Use of Patent TongsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Description of Area
- Section 30
- Violations
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 420
- Pertaining to the Use of Trawls in the Territorial Sea [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 430
- Pertaining to the Marking and Minimum Mesh Size of Gill NetsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Marking Procedures for Drift and Anchored Gill Nets
- Section 30
- Marking Procedures for Staked Gill Nets
- Section 40
- Upriver White Perch and Striped Bass Fishery Exemption
- Section 45
- Recreational Anchored Gill Net Exemptions
- Section 50
- Drift Gill Net Fishery Exemption
- Section 55
- Buoy Marking Procedures
- Section 60
- Minimum Mesh Size
- Section 65
- Maximum Mesh Size and Tending Requirements
- Section 70
- Enforcement Provisions
- Section 80
- Penalties
- Chapter 440
- Coastal Primary Sand Dune/Beaches Guidelines: Barrier Island PolicyRead all
- Section 10
- Barrier Island Policy
- Chapter 450
- Pertaining to the Taking of BluefishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Recreational Bluefish Possession Limits
- Section 30
- Commercial Landings Quota
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 460
- Pertaining to the Use of Crab Traps and PoundsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 13
- Application and Location
- Section 15
- Priority Rights
- Section 20
- Placement of Crab Traps and Crab Pounds
- Section 25
- Placement Requirements for the Retention Box and Other Gear
- Section 30
- Removal of Traps, Leads, Poles, Gear
- Section 40
- Minimum Mesh Size
- Section 50
- Cull Rings
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 470
- Pertaining to Hampton Roads Management AreaRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Hampton Roads Management Area Established
- Section 30
- Gill Net Prohibition
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 480
- Pertaining to Eastern Shore Bayside Management AreasRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Prohibition
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 490
- Pertaining to SharksRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Commercial Gear Restrictions
- Section 35
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- Recreational Harvest Limitations and Gear Restrictions
- Section 41
- Commercial Harvest Limitations
- Section 42
- Spiny Dogfish Commercial Quota and Harvest Limitations
- Section 43
- Limited Access Control Rule
- Section 44
- Spiny Dogfish Limited Entry Fishery Permit and Permit Transfers
- Section 45
- [Repealed]
- Section 46
- Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Requirements
- Section 47
- Control Date
- Section 48
- Smooth Dogfish Commercial Quota and Harvest Limitations
- Section 50
- Finning
- Section 60
- [Repealed]
- Section 70
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-490)
- Chapter 500
- Pertaining to the Catching of EelsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definition
- Section 30
- Rescission
- Section 35
- Minimum Size Limit
- Section 40
- Elvers
- Section 45
- Commercial Season, Permits, and Reporting
- Section 50
- Minimum Mesh Size
- Section 55
- Possession Limit
- Section 60
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-500)
- Chapter 510
- Pertaining to Amberjack and CobiaRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 12
- Definitions
- Section 15
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- Recreational Fishery Possession Limits, Season, and Vessel Allowance
- Section 25
- Commercial Fishery Possession Limits, Season, and Reporting Requirements
- Section 30
- Size Limits
- Section 33
- [Repealed]
- Section 35
- Aquaculture of Cobia; Permit Required
- Section 37
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-510)
- Chapter 520
- Pertaining to the Use of Patent TongsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Area Closed to Patent Tonging
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 530
- Pertaining to American ShadRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definition
- Section 23
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- Moratorium
- Section 31
- Bycatch Fishery
- Section 32
- [Repealed]
- Section 35
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 540
- Pertaining to Spanish and King MackerelRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definition
- Section 30
- Recreational Possession Limits
- Section 40
- Minimum Size Limits
- Section 50
- Commercial Trip Limit
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 550
- Pertaining to the Removal of Gill Nets and Other Nonfixed Finfishing GearRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Fishing Requirement; Notification Procedures
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 560
- Pertaining to Shellfish Management AreasRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Shellfish Management Areas
- Section 30
- Permits Required
- Section 40
- Patent Tong Season
- Section 50
- Time of Day and Harvest Restrictions
- Section 55
- Prohibition to Lease in a Shellfish Management Area
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 561
- Pertaining to the Hampton Flats Hard Clam Harvest AreaRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Hampton Flats Hard Clam Harvest Area
- Section 30
- Harvest Season
- Section 40
- Harvest Restrictions
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 566
- Pertaining to the Hampton Roads Shellfish Relay AreaRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Hampton Roads Shellfish Relay Area
- Section 30
- Harvest Season
- Section 40
- Harvest Restrictions
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 570
- Pertaining to the Use of Firearms to Take FishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Use of Firearms and Sale of Fish Prohibited; Exceptions
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 580
- Pertaining to the Alteration of FinfishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Alteration of Finfish to Obscure Species Identification or Size Prohibited
- Section 30
- Allowances for Filleting or Cleaning
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 590
- Pertaining to the Taking of Hard ClamsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Special Permit Restrictions
- Section 40
- Allowance for Chowder Clams; Return of Containers of Clams in Violation
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 600
- Pertaining to Pound Net License SalesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definition
- Section 30
- Limit on Sale of Licenses
- Section 40
- Exceptions to Limit on Pound Net Licenses
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 610
- Pertaining to Commercial Fishing and Mandatory Harvest ReportingRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 25
- Oyster Aquaculture Permit Requirements
- Section 26
- Clam Aquaculture Permit Requirements
- Section 30
- Commercial Fisherman Registration License; Exceptions and Requirements of Authorized Agents
- Section 40
- Registration Procedures
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Section 60
- Mandatory Harvest Reporting
- Section 65
- Noncompliance
- Section 70
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-610)
- DIBR
- Documents Incorporated by Reference (4VAC20-610)
- Chapter 620
- Pertaining to Summer FlounderRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Commercial Harvest Quota and Allowable Landings
- Section 40
- Commercial Vessel Possession and Landing Limitations
- Section 41
- Summer Flounder Endorsement License, Restricted Summer Flounder Endorsement License, and Exemption.
- Section 42
- Summer Flounder Endorsement License and Hardship Exception.
- Section 45
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- Minimum Size Limits
- Section 60
- Recreational Possession Limit
- Section 70
- Recreational Fishing Season
- Section 75
- [Repealed]
- Section 80
- Penalty
- Chapter 630
- [Reserved]Read all
- Chapter 650
- Establishment of Oyster Sanctuary AreasRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Oyster Sanctuary Areas
- Section 30
- Closure of Sanctuary Areas
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 660
- [Reserved]Read all
- Chapter 670
- Pertaining to Recreational Gear LicensesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Recreational Gear Licenses
- Section 25
- Harvest Limits
- Section 30
- Gear Restrictions
- Section 40
- Gear Marking Requirements
- Section 50
- Reporting Requirements
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 680
- Pertaining to Gill NetsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Rescission
- Section 30
- Gill Net Closed Season and Area
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 690
- [Reserved]Read all
- Chapter 700
- Pertaining to Crab PotsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Cull Ring Requirements
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 710
- [Reserved]Read all
- Chapter 720
- Pertaining to Restrictions on Oyster HarvestRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Control Date, License Moratorium, Transferability, and Agents
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Standing Stock Criteria
- Section 35
- Public Oyster Ground Harvest Season
- Section 40
- Open Oyster Harvest Season,Harvest Areas, and Harvest Limits
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Section 60
- Day and Time Limit
- Section 70
- Gear Restrictions
- Section 75
- Gear License
- Section 80
- [Repealed]
- Section 85
- James River Seed Quota and Monitoring
- Section 90
- Harvest Permit Required for the James River Areas
- Section 91
- Harvest Permit Required for the James River Seed Area, Including the Deep Water Shoal State Replenishment Area
- Section 95
- [Repealed]
- Section 100
- Seed Oyster Planting Procedures
- Section 105
- [Repealed]
- Section 106
- [Repealed]
- Section 110
- Penalty
- Section 110:1
- Appendix. [Repealed]
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-720)
- Chapter 730
- Pertaining to Nonresident Harvesters License FeeRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- Exceptions
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 740
- Pertaining to the Snagging or Towing of FishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Snagging Prohibited
- Section 25
- Towing of Fish Prohibited
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 750
- Pertaining to Crab Dredge License Sales [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 751
- Pertaining to the Setting and Mesh Size of Gill NetsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Gill Net Mesh Sizes, Restricted Areas, and Season
- Section 25
- Assateague Island Small-Mesh Gill Net Area
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 752
- Pertaining to Blue Crab SanctuariesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Harvest Restrictions
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 753
- [Reserved]Read all
- Chapter 754
- Pertaining to Importation of Fish, Shellfish or Crustacea into Virginia's WatersRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Approved Species and Criteria for Importation
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 755
- Pertaining to Artificial ReefsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Gear Restrictions
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 756
- [Reserved]Read all
- Chapter 770
- Piankatank River Management Area [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 780
- Patent Tong Restrictions [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Section 60
- [Repealed]
- Section 70
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 790
- Open Public Oyster Rocks, Pocomoke Sound [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 800
- Loading and Unloading Points for Relayed Shellfish [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 810
- Opening of John East Turn and Poynter Rocks and Closing Beaseley Bay Rock and Deep Creek Channel, Buoy No. 7 [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 820
- Unloading Points for Relayed Shellfish [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 830
- A Change in the Oyster Cull Size for Oysters Harvested from Russ Rock, Rappahannock River [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 840
- Unloading Point for Relaying Shellfish [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 850
- Expansion of the Jail Island Clean Cull Area [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 860
- A Change in the Oyster Cull Size for Oysters Harvested from Little Carters Rock, Rappahannock River [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 870
- Unloading Point for Relaying Shellfish [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 880
- Pertaining to Hard Crab Pot LimitsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Hard Crab Pot Limits
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 890
- Pertaining to Channeled WhelkRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 25
- Entry Limitation; Transfers; Prohibitions
- Section 30
- Minimum Size Limits
- Section 35
- Possession and Landing Limits
- Section 40
- Gear Restrictions
- Section 45
- Monitoring Requirements
- Section 50
- Bycatch Exemption
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 900
- Pertaining to Horseshoe CrabRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definition
- Section 21
- Permit Requirements and Exemption
- Section 25
- Commercial Fisheries Management Measures
- Section 26
- Commercial Gear Restricted Area
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 35
- Monitoring Requirements
- Section 36
- [Repealed]
- Section 37
- License Moratorium
- Section 38
- Control Date
- Section 39
- Permit Transfers
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 45
- Requirements of Authorized Agents
- Section 50
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-900)
- DIBR
- Documents Incorporated by Reference (4VAC20-900)
- Chapter 910
- Pertaining to Scup (Porgy)Read all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Minimum Size Limits
- Section 40
- Gear Restrictions
- Section 45
- Possession Limits and Harvest Quotas
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 920
- Pertaining to Landing LicensesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- License Requirements and Exemptions
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 45
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 950
- Pertaining to Black Sea BassRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Minimum Size Limit
- Section 40
- Gear Restrictions
- Section 45
- Recreational Possession Limits and Seasons
- Section 46
- Directed Fishery and Bycatch Fishery Permits
- Section 47
- Commercial Harvest Quotas
- Section 48
- Individual Fishery Quotas; Bycatch Limit; at Sea Harvesters; Exceptions
- Section 48.1
- Individual Transferable Quotas
- Section 48.2
- Alternate Vessel Authorization Requirements
- Section 49
- Reporting Requirements
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Section 60
- Black Sea Bass Aquaculture Facility Permit
- Section 70
- [Repealed]
- Section 80
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-950)
- Chapter 960
- Pertaining to TautogRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Minimum Size Limits
- Section 40
- Gear Restrictions
- Section 45
- Recreational Fishing Season and Possession Limits
- Section 47
- Commercial Fishing Season and Possession Limits
- Section 48
- Commercial Permitting and Tagging Requirements
- Section 49
- Commercial Reporting
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Section 60
- Sanctions
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-960)
- Chapter 970
- Pertaining to SpadefishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Spadefish Possession Limit
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 980
- Pertaining to on-Shore Loading and Unloading of Shellfish from Condemned Areas [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 995
- Pertaining to Commercial Hook-And-Line FishingRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Entry Limitation; Catch Restrictions; Transfers
- Section 30
- Prohibitions
- Section 40
- Spear Fishing
- Section 50
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-995)
- Chapter 1000
- Pertaining to Dredging in Submerged Aquatic VegetationRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Dredges Prohibited
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 1020
- Pertaining to Bay ScallopsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Moratorium
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 1030
- Management Plan for the Ungranted State Lands in Accomack and Northampton CountiesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Description of Ungranted State Lands
- Section 30
- Resources
- Section 40
- The Management Plan
- Chapter 1040
- Pertaining to Commercial Crab Fishery LicensesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- License Sales Moratorium and License Ineligibility Conditions
- Section 25
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 35
- Control Date
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 1045
- Pertaining to Establishment of Restricted AreasRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Activation and Enforcement of Restricted Areas
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 1050
- Pertaining to Establishment of Restricted Area -- Huntington Ingalls Industries/Newport News Shipbuilding CompanyRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 1060
- Pertaining to Enlargement of Established Restricted Area -- Dominion Power/Nuclear Power StationRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Section 30:1
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 1065
- Pertaining to Establishment of Restricted AreasRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Prohibitions
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 1070
- Pertaining to Haul SeinesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Gear Restrictions; Exemptions; Application Process
- Section 40
- Reporting Requirements
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 1080
- Pertaining to Monkfish (Goosefish)Read all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Harvest and Landing Limitations
- Section 40
- Gear Restrictions
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 1090
- Pertaining to Licensing Requirements and License FeesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- License Fees
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 1100
- Pertaining to Shellfish HandlingRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Disposal of Sewage from Vessels
- Section 30
- Penalty
- Chapter 1110
- Pertaining to SheepsheadRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Recreational Harvest and Possession Limit
- Section 40
- Commercial Limitations
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 1120
- Pertaining to Tilefish and GrouperRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Recreational Harvest and Possession Limit
- Section 31
- [Repealed]
- Section 32
- [Repealed]
- Section 35
- Recreational Blueline Tilefish Season
- Section 40
- Commercial Limitations
- Section 50
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1120)
- Chapter 1130
- General Permit No. 4 for Temporary Protective Enclosures for ShellfishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Notification Procedures
- Section 40
- General Conditions
- Section 50
- Special Conditions
- Section 60
- General Permit Fees
- Section 70
- Penalty
- Chapter 1140
- Prohibition of Crab Dredging in Virginia Waters [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 1150
- Pertaining to Charter Boat and Head Boat Fisheries [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 1170
- Requirements Related to the Purchase of Fish from the CatcherRead all
- Section 10
- Certified Scale Required
- Section 20
- Penalty
- Chapter 1180
- Pertaining to Fishing Guides, Charter Boat, and Head Boat FisheriesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Fishing Guide LicenseAnd Charter Boat and Head Boat Permit
- Section 40
- Limited Sale of the Class A Fishing Guide License and Conditional Sale of the Class B Fishing Guide License
- Section 50
- Transfers of a Class A Fishing Guide License
- Section 60
- [Repealed]
- Section 70
- Delineation of Enforcement Boundaries for Freshwater and Saltwater Licenses
- Section 80
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1180)
- Chapter 1190
- Pertaining to Gill Net Control DateRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 15
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Control Date
- Section 30
- Limited Entry and Permits
- Section 40
- Permit Limitations
- Section 50
- Permit Transfers
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 1200
- Pertaining to the Special Oyster Relay Season in the Rappahannock River [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 1210
- Pertaining to a Blue Crab Sanctuary [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 1220
- Pertaining to Separation Between NetsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Required Distance Between Nets
- Chapter 1230
- Pertaining to Restrictions on ShellfishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Public Health and Warm Water Harvest Restrictions for Shellfish
- Section 31
- Public Health and Warm Water Harvest Restrictions for Oysters
- Section 32
- Public Health and Warm Water Harvest Restrictions for Clams
- Section 35
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 1240
- Fisherman Identification ProgramRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Registration Requirement; Exception; Procedures; Confidentiality
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 1250
- Pertaining to the Tagging of ShellfishRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Shellfish Identification
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Section 50
- Designated Single Harvest Areas
- Chapter 1260
- Pertaining to River HerringRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Moratorium
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 1270
- Pertaining to Atlantic MenhadenRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Total Allowable Landings for Menhaden; Allocation, Accountability, Overages, Restrictions, Closures, State-To-State Transfers, and Transfers Between Sectors
- Section 35
- Chesapeake Bay Purse Seine Menhaden Reduction Fishery
- Section 40
- Purse Seine Menhaden Bait Sector; Limited Entry Criteria; Individual Transferable Quota System; and Season
- Section 50
- Non-Purse Seine Menhaden Bait Sector Quota Allocation
- Section 60
- Reporting Requirements by Menhaden Fishery Sector
- Section 70
- Penalty
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1270)
- Chapter 1280
- Pertaining to Fishing License and Privilege RevocationRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definition
- Section 30
- Unlawful Fishing After Fishing License Has Been Revoked
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Chapter 1290
- Pertaining to Restrictions on the Harvest of Shellfish and in Condemned Shellfish AreasRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Restrict Leasing of Condemned Shellfish Areas
- Section 40
- Permit to Relay Shellfish from Restricted Shellfish Areas
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 1300
- Living Shoreline Group 1 General Permit for Certain Living Shoreline Treatments Involving Tidal WetlandsRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Applicability and Procedures
- Section 40
- Specific Criteria
- Section 50
- Permit Conditions
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1300)
- Chapter 1310
- Pertaining to Jonah CrabRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definition
- Section 30
- Possession Prohibitions and Commercial Fishery Minimum Size Limit
- Section 40
- Commercial Fishery Harvest, Permits, Possession Limits, and Reporting
- Section 50
- Daily Recreational Harvest and Possession Limits
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 1320
- Pertaining to Establishment of Restricted Area - Maritime Administration James River Reserve FleetRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Prohibitions
- Section 40
- Penalty
- Section 50
- Duration of Regulation
- Chapter 1330
- Living Shoreline Group 2 General Permit for Certain Living Shoreline Treatments Involving Submerged Lands, Tidal Wetlands, or Coastal Primary Sand Dunes and BeachesRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Applicability and Procedures
- Section 40
- Specific Criteria
- Section 50
- Permit Conditions
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1330)
- Chapter 1340
- Fast-Track Permitting Program for Disposal of Dredged MaterialRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Applicability and Procedures
- Section 40
- Fast-Track Limitations
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1340)
- Chapter 1350
- Pertaining to General Oyster Planting Ground Lease Renewal FeeRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- General Oyster Planting Ground Review Form, Fee, and Denial
- Section 40
- Request for Formal Hearing of Lease Renewal Denial
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1350)
- Chapter 1360
- Pertaining to Commercial ElectrofishingRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Licensing and Entry Requirements
- Section 40
- Prohibitions
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Section 60
- Sanctions
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1360)
- Chapter 1370
- Pertaining to Atlantic CroakerRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Recreational Harvest Limit
- Section 40
- Charter and for-Hire Live Bait Limit
- Section 50
- Commercial Fishery
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 1380
- Pertaining to SpotRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Recreational Harvest Limit
- Section 40
- Charter and for-Hire Live Bait Limit
- Section 50
- Commercial Fishery
- Section 60
- Penalty
- Chapter 1390
- Pertaining to ShrimpRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Recreational Fishing: General
- Section 40
- Commercial Fishing: General
- Section 50
- Shrimp Trawl Licensing and Entry Requirements
- Section 60
- Shrimp Trawl Gear Restrictions
- Section 70
- Commercial Shrimp Trawl Harvest Limits, Seasons, and Areas
- Section 80
- Penalty
- Section 90
- Sanctions
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1390)
- Chapter 1400
- Pertaining to Red DrumRead all
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Section 30
- Recreational Size and Possession Limits
- Section 40
- Commercial Size and Possession Limits
- Section 50
- Penalty
- Chapter 1410
- Utility Line Encroachments Beneath or over State-Owned Subaqueous BedsRead all
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Applicability and Procedures
- Section 30
- Permit Conditions
- FORMS
- Forms (4VAC20-1410)
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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.