Chapter 1080. Pertaining to Monkfish (Goosefish)
4VAC20-1080-10. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to conserve and protect sea turtle stocks in Virginia waters.
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-236 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 2005.
4VAC20-1080-20. Definitions.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"COLREGS Line" means the COLREGS Demarcation Lines, as specified in Coastal Pilot, 35th and 36th editions by Lighthouse Press.
"Monkfish (goosefish)" means any goosefish of the species Lophius americanus.
"Tie-down" means a short length of twine or other similar material with one end tied to the bottom line of a gill net and the other end tied to the top line of the gill net to create a loose webbing or pocket in the net.
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-236 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 2005.
4VAC20-1080-30. Harvest and landing limitations.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, harvest or possess any amount of monkfish in Virginia waters that exceeds 50 pounds of tails or 166 pounds of whole fish, except as described in subsection B of this section.
B. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land or possess any amount of monkfish in Virginia that exceeds 50 pounds of tails or 166 pounds of whole fish unless that vessel holds an applicable federal fisheries permit that authorizes harvest and possession of monkfish.
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-236 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 2005.
4VAC20-1080-40. Gear restrictions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use tie-downs in any gill net set or fished east of the COLREGS Line and north of the North Carolina-Virginia border and south of the Maryland-Virginia border in Virginia waters from May 1 through December 31.
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-236 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 2005.
4VAC20-1080-50. Penalty.
As set forth in § 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 and 28.2-236 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 2005.