Chapter 970. Pertaining to Spadefish
4VAC20-970-10. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote conservation of the spadefish resource and to reduce the possibility of overfishing this resource.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 20, eff. May 30, 1997.
4VAC20-970-20. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"Spadefish" means any fish of the species Chaetodipterus faber.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 20, eff. May 30, 1997.
4VAC20-970-30. Spadefish possession limit.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with recreational hook and line, rod and reel, hand line, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more than four spadefish. Any spadefish taken after the possession limit of four fish has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.
B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by four. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with a licensed commercial hook and line to possess more than six spadefish. Any spadefish taken by a licensed commercial hook-and-line fisherman after the possession limit of six fish has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 20, eff. May 30, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 1997; Volume 14, Issue 3, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 18, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2002.
4VAC20-970-40. Penalty.
As set forth in 3 28.2-903 of the Code of Virginia, any person violating any provision of this regulation shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this regulation 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 Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 20, eff. May 30, 1997.