Chapter 700. Pertaining to Crab Pots
4VAC20-700-10. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to conserve the blue crab resource by promoting the escape of small crabs from crab pots through the use of cull rings.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR450-01-0093 § 1, eff. January 1, 1994; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. March 2, 1995; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. April 25, 1995.
4VAC20-700-15. Definitions.
"Mainstem Chesapeake Bay" means all tidal waters westward of the shoreward boundary of Virginia's portion of the federal territorial sea, exclusive of the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River.
"Seaside area" means any Virginia tidal waters on the ocean side of Accomack and Northampton counties, including any bays, inlets or other waters that have an open connection to ocean waters.
"Tributaries of the mainstem Chesapeake Bay" means those waters outside of the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay but westward of the shoreward boundary of Virginia's portion of the federal territorial sea.
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 21, eff. June 1, 2008.
4VAC20-700-20. Cull ring requirements.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set or fish any crab pot, in Virginia's seaside area, that does not contain at least two unobstructed cull rings of size and location within the pot, as described in this subsection, except as provided in subsection C of this section. One cull ring shall be at least 2-5/16 inches inside diameter, and the other cull ring shall be at least 2-3/16 inches inside diameter. These cull rings shall be located one each in opposite exterior side panels of the upper chamber of the pot.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set or fish any crab pot, in any Virginia waters, except as described in subsection A of this section, that does not contain at least two unobstructed cull rings. The two cull rings shall be at least 2-3/8 inches inside diameter and shall be located, one each, in opposite exterior side panels of the upper chamber of the pot.
C. Peeler pots with a mesh size less than 1-1/2 inches shall be exempt from the cull ring requirement.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR450-01-0093 § 2, eff. January 1, 1994; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. March 2, 1995; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. April 25, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 1997; Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2000; Volume 16, Issue 16, eff. April 1, 2000; Volume 16, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2000; Volume 24, Issue 15, eff. March 1, 2008; Volume 24, Issue 21, eff. June 1, 2008; Volume 25, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 2009.
4VAC20-700-30. Penalty.
Pursuant to § 28.2-903 of the Code of Virginia, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this chapter committed by the same person within 12 months of a prior violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR450-01-0093 § 3, eff. January 1, 1994; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. March 2, 1995; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. April 25, 1995.