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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
11/7/2024

Chapter 140. Pertaining to Identification of Crab Pots, Peeler Pots, Eel Pots, and Fish Pots

4VAC20-140-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the lawful methods an individual shall use to identify his licensed crab pots, peeler pots, fish pots, or eel pots.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR450-01-0018 § 1, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 25, eff. August 3, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 21, eff. March 17, 2009; Volume 32, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2016.

4VAC20-140-15. Identification of eel pots.

Any person owning or using an eel pot, for which a commercial license is prescribed by law, shall display that person's Marine Resources Commission identification number preceded by the letter "E" on each floating buoy or stake attached to each such eel pot in a legible and visible manner and in figures of not smaller than one inch in height.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2016; amended, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 24, eff. July 5, 2024.

4VAC20-140-20. Identification of fish pots.

Any person owning or using a fish pot, for which a license is prescribed by law, shall display and maintain his current identification number, assigned by the Marine Resources Commission, preceded by the letter "F" on each floating buoy or stake attached to each such fish pot, in a legible and visible manner.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR450-01-0018, § 2, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 25, eff. August 3, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 21, eff. March 17, 2009; Volume 32, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2016.

4VAC20-140-25. Identification of crab pots and peeler pots.

A. Any person placing, setting, or fishing crab pots in Virginia waters, for which a commercial license is prescribed by law, shall display that person's Marine Resources Commission identification number, preceded by the letter "C," on each floating buoy or stake attached to each such crab pot in a legible and visible manner and in figures of not smaller than one inch in height.

B. Any person placing, setting, or fishing peeler pots in Virginia waters, for which a commercial license is prescribed by law, shall display that person's Marine Resources Commission identification number, preceded by the letter "P," on each floating buoy or stake attached to each such peeler pot in a legible and visible manner and in figures of not smaller than one inch in height.

C. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to place numbers or letters on any crab pot or peeler pot buoy or stake that is in addition to the identification requirement described in subsection A or B of this section.

D. Any person who is legally licensed to crab pot or peeler pot in North Carolina or Maryland waters may also display identification required by those jurisdictions on the buoys or stakes attached to those crab pots or peeler pots while that person is placing, setting, or fishing those crab pots or peeler pots in Virginia waters.

E. Any identification shall be legally assigned or registered to that person as described in subsection D of this section.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 21, eff. March 17, 2009; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 3, eff. October 1, 2011; Volume 40, Issue 24, eff. July 5, 2024.

4VAC20-140-30. Penalty.

As set forth in § 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 VR450-01-0018 § 3, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 25, eff. August 3, 1995.

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