Chapter 252. Pertaining to Atlantic Striped Bass
4VAC20-252-10. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the continued sustained yield from the recovered striped bass stocks in Virginia and to limit the growth of the number of commercial participants in this fishery. The provisions pertaining to aquaculture serve to prevent the escape of cultured hybrid striped bass into the natural environment and to minimize the impact of cultured fish in the market place on the enforcement of other provisions of this chapter.
This regulation is not intended to create any property right in anyone, and the commission reserves the right to change this regulation at any time it deems it necessary because of biological conditions and to change the regulation in all other respects at any time it deems it necessary to carry out its statutory mission.
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-204.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 23, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2007.
4VAC20-252-20. Definitions.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Bait" means any whole or part of any marine or aquatic organism, live or dead.
"Chesapeake Bay area" means the commercial fishing area that includes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries.
"Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries" means all tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries within Virginia, westward of the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea, excluding the coastal area and the Potomac River tributaries as defined in this section.
"Circle hook" means a non-offset, non-stainless steel hook with the point turned sharply and straight back toward the shank.
"Coastal area" means the area that includes Virginia's portion of the Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).
"Commercial fishing," "fishing commercially," or "commercial fishery" means fishing by any person where the catch is or is intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.
"Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area" means the area that includes the Great Wicomico River and those Virginia waters bounded by a line beginning at Dameron Marsh at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-46.9535, West Longitude 76-17.1294; extending to the southernmost point of Tangier Island, and north to a point on the Virginia-Maryland state boundary at NAD 83 North Latitude 37-57.0407, West Longitude 75-58.5043, and then westerly along the Virginia-Maryland state boundary to Smith Point.
"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond extending upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.
"Recreational fishing," "fishing recreationally," or "recreational fishery" means fishing by any person, whether licensed or exempted from licensing, where the catch is not or is not intended for sale, barter, trade, or any commercial purpose.
"Recreational vessel" means any vessel, kayak, charter vessel, or headboat participating in the recreational striped bass fishery.
"Share" means a percentage of the striped bass commercial harvest quota.
"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.
"Spawning reaches" means sections within the spawning rivers as follows:
1. James River from a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek upstream to a line connecting City Point and Packs Point.
2. Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore.
3. Mattaponi River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to the Route 360 bridge at Aylett.
4. Rappahannock River from the Route 360 Bridge at Tappahannock upstream to the Route 1 Falmouth Bridge.
"Spear" or "spearing" means to fish while the person is fully submerged under the water's surface with a mechanically aided device designed to accelerate a barbed spear.
"Striped bass" means any fish or any hybrid of the species Morone saxatilis.
"Total length" means the length of a fish measured from the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the longer lobe of the tail (caudal) fin, measured with the tail compressed along the midline, using a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1997; Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 19, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2007; Volume 29, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2012; Volume 31, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017; Volume 33, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2017; Volume 34, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2018; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2018; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. May 28, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. May 1, 2021.
4VAC20-252-30. General prohibitions and requirements.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person while aboard any boat or vessel or while fishing from shore or pier to alter any striped bass or to possess any altered striped bass such that its total length cannot be determined.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.
C. It shall be unlawful to place, set, or fish any gill net within 300 feet of any bridge, bridge-tunnel, jetty, or pier during any open recreational striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except during the period midnight Sunday through midnight Wednesday.
D. During the period April 1 through May 31, inclusive, it shall be unlawful for any person to set or fish any anchored gill net or staked gill net, for any purpose, within the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Drift or float gill nets may be set and fished within the spawning reaches of these rivers during this period, provided that the person setting and fishing the net remains with the net during the time it is fishing and all striped bass that are caught shall be returned to the water immediately.
E. Any license or permit issued by the commission to fish for striped bass, recreationally or commercially, shall authorize any commission personnel or their designees to inspect, measure, weigh, or take biological samples from any striped bass in possession of the licensee or permittee.
F. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person, who is legally eligible to fish, from possessing any striped bass tagged with a Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) tag. Possession of VIMS-tagged striped bass shall not count towards the personal recreational possession limit. Permitted commercial striped bass individual transferable quota (ITQ) holders shall not be required to apply a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission, in order to possess any striped bass tagged with a VIMS-inscribed tag. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain any VIMS-tagged striped bass except to provide the VIMS-tagged striped bass to a VIMS representative. Under no circumstance shall any VIMS-tagged striped bass be stored for future use or sale or delivered to any person who is not a VIMS representative.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 5, eff. October 30, 2000; Volume 22, Issue 7, eff. November 14, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 29, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2012; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2018; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020.
4VAC20-252-40. Severability.
Any provision of this chapter that is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction shall not affect the validity of other provisions of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996.
4VAC20-252-50. Concerning recreational fishing: general.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or attempt to take or catch any striped bass by any gear or method other than hook-and-line, rod and reel, hand line, or spearing.
B. Any person fishing recreationally shall use non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing with bait.
C. 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 the applicable personal possession limit. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit.
D. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any minimum or maximum size limits.
E. It shall be unlawful to combine possession limits when there is more than one area or season open at the same time.
F. It shall be unlawful for any person while actively fishing pursuant to a recreational fishery to possess any striped bass that are smaller than the minimum size limit or larger than the maximum size limit for the area and season then open and being fished.
G. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to transfer any striped bass to another person, while on the water or while fishing from a pier or shore.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 20, Issue 10, eff. January 5, 2004; Volume 21, Issue 13, eff. February 2, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 29, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2012; Volume 31, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017; Volume 34, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2018; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. May 1, 2021.
4VAC20-252-55. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 10, eff. January 5, 2004; Volume 21, Issue 13, eff. February 2, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 15, eff. March 2, 2006; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008; Volume 26, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. February 1, 2011; Volume 29, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2013; Volume 30, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2014; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2015.
4VAC20-252-60. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 1999; Volume 16, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2000; Volume 20, Issue 10, eff. January 5, 2004; Volume 31, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 31, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2015; Volume 31, Issue 19, eff. May 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017; Volume 33, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2017; Volume 34, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2018; Volume 35, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2019; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. May 28, 2019.
4VAC20-252-70. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 17, Issue 12, eff. January 26, 2001; Volume 20, Issue 10, eff. January 5, 2004; Volume 31, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 31, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017; Volume 33, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2017; Volume 34, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2018; Volume 35, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2019; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. May 28, 2019.
4VAC20-252-80. Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries spring/summer striped bass recreational fishery.
A. The open season for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries spring/summer striped bass recreational fishery shall be May 16 through June 15, inclusive.
B. The minimum size limit shall be 19 inches total length.
C. The maximum size limit shall be 24 inches total length.
D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 1999; Volume 31, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2015; Volume 31, Issue 19, eff. May 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2018; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. May 28, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 4, eff. September 25, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-85. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2000.
4VAC20-252-90. Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries fall striped bass recreational fishery.
A. The open season for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries fall striped bass recreational fishery shall be October 4 through December 31, inclusive.
B. The minimum size limit shall be 19 inches total length.
C. The maximum size limit shall be 24 inches total length.
D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1997; Volume 16, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2000; Volume 17, Issue 12, eff. January 26, 2001; Volume 20, Issue 10, eff. January 5, 2004; Volume 22, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2005; Volume 24, Issue 4, eff. October 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 6, eff. November 1, 2008; Volume 26, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2009; Volume 28, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2012; Volume 31, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2015; Volume 36, Issue 4, eff. September 25, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 1, 2023; Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-100. Potomac River tributaries summer/fall striped bass recreational fishery.
A. The open season for the Potomac River tributaries summer/fall striped bass recreational fishery shall correspond to the open summer/fall season as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River and shall be May 16 through July 6 and August 21 through December 31.
B. The minimum size limit shall be 19 inches total length.
C. The maximum size limit shall be 24 inches total length.
D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2000; Volume 17, Issue 12, eff. January 26, 2001; Volume 20, Issue 10, eff. January 5, 2004; Volume 22, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2005; Volume 24, Issue 4, eff. October 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 6, eff. November 1, 2008; Volume 26, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2009; Volume 28, Issue 25, eff. August 1, 2012; Volume 31, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2015; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. May 28, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 4, eff. September 25, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 1, 2023; Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-110. Coastal area striped bass recreational fishery.
A. The open seasons for the coastal area striped bass recreational fishery shall be January 1 through March 31 and May 16 through December 31, inclusive.
B. The minimum size limit shall be 28 inches total length.
C. The maximum size limit shall be 31 inches total length.
D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2000; Volume 17, Issue 12, eff. January 26, 2001; Volume 31, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 36, Issue 4, eff. September 25, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. July 1, 2023.
4VAC20-252-115. Repealed
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-204.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2006; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020.
4VAC20-252-120. Concerning commercial fishing: general.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the commercial fishery for striped bass without first having the necessary commercial fisherman's registration license and appropriate gear license as required by Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and the special permit to fish for striped bass established in 4VAC20-252-130, except as provided in subsection G of 4VAC20-252-160.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially to possess any striped bass taken outside any open commercial season or area or with gear inapplicable to the season and area as specified in 4VAC20-252-140. Any striped bass caught contrary to this provision shall be returned to the water immediately.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person while actively fishing pursuant to a commercial fishery to possess any striped bass that is less than the minimum size limit applicable for the area and season then open and being fished. Any striped bass caught that does not meet the applicable minimum size limit shall be returned to the water immediately.
D. All striped bass in the possession of any person for the purpose of sale must be identified with a tamper-evident sealed tag that has been approved and issued by the appropriate authority in the jurisdiction of capture. Whole striped bass shall have tags attached directly to the fish. Processed or filleted striped bass must be accompanied by the tags removed from the fish when processed. Any person who possesses any amount of striped bass in excess of the maximum number allowed for a licensed recreational fisherman as described in 4VAC20-252-60 through 4VAC20-252-110 shall be considered as possessing all striped bass for the purpose of sale. When any person possesses striped bass in excess of the maximum number allowed a licensed recreational fisherman, all striped bass of said person shall be tagged, and the possession of any untagged striped bass shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this chapter and subject to the provisions of 4VAC20-252-160 H and I and 4VAC20-252-230.
E. When the striped bass are in the possession of any person other than the original harvester for the purpose of resale, the striped bass shall be accompanied by a bill of sale, which shall include the name of the seller, the permit or license number of the seller if such permit or license is required in the jurisdiction of harvest, the date of sale, the pounds of striped bass in possession, the location of catch, and the gear type used to harvest the striped bass. If the striped bass product for sale is fillets, the bill of sale shall also specify the number of fillets.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 1999; Volume 16, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 2000; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008; Volume 31, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2015; Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-130. Entry limits, permits, and reports.
A. There is established a special permit for engaging in either the Chesapeake Bay area commercial fishery for striped bass or the coastal area commercial fishery for striped bass. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in either commercial fishery for striped bass without first having obtained the permit from the commission and meeting the following conditions:
1. The person shall be a licensed registered commercial fisherman.
2. The person shall have reported all prior fishing activity in accordance with 4VAC20-610 and shall not be under any sanction by the Marine Resources Commission for noncompliance with the regulation.
B. Permits for the commercial harvest of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay area or coastal area shall be issued to any registered commercial fishermen holding striped bass quota shares issued under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-150 and 4VAC20-252-160.
C. Permits shall be in the possession of the permittee while catching, harvesting, selling, or possessing striped bass. Failure to have the appropriate permit in possession shall be a violation of this chapter.
D. It shall be unlawful for any person, business, or corporation, except for licensed restaurants, to purchase from the harvester any quantity of striped bass greater than 10 pounds in total weight taken from Virginia's tidal waters for the purpose of resale without first obtaining a striped bass buyer's permit from the commission, except as described in subsection E of this section. Such permit shall be completed in full by the permittee and kept in possession of the permittee while selling or possessing striped bass. Failure to have the appropriate permit in possession shall be a violation of this chapter.
E. Restaurants shall not be required to obtain a striped bass buyer's permit from the commission but shall be required to certify and maintain a record of any striped bass purchased from any harvester for a period of not less than one year.
F. All permitted commercial harvesters of striped bass shall report to the commission in accordance with 4VAC20-610. In addition to the reporting requirements of 4VAC20-610, all permitted commercial harvesters of striped bass shall record and report daily striped bass harvest by specifying the number of tags used on striped bass harvested for each day in either the Chesapeake Bay area or coastal area and reporting the daily total whole weight of striped bass harvested in either the Chesapeake Bay area or coastal area. Daily striped bass tag use on harvested striped bass and daily total whole weight of harvested striped bass from either the Chesapeake Bay area or coastal area, within any month, shall be recorded on forms provided by the commission and shall accompany the monthly catch report submitted no later than the fifth day of the following month.
G. Any permitted commercial harvester of striped bass who self markets his striped bass to a restaurant, person, or out-of-state market shall be required to prepare a receipt describing each sale greater than 10 pounds in total weight. Each receipt shall be a record and report of the date of transaction, name and signature of buyer, address and phone number of buyer, number and total weight of striped bass sold, and name and signature of harvester. Copies of each receipt shall be submitted to the commission no later than the fifth day of the following month.
H. Any buyer permitted to purchase striped bass harvested from Virginia tidal waters shall provide written reports to the commission of daily purchases and harvest information on forms provided by the Marine Resources Commission. Such information shall include the date of the purchase, buyer's name, and harvester's Commercial Fisherman Registration License number. In addition, for each different purchase of striped bass harvested from Virginia waters, the buyer shall record the weight of whole fish and number and type of tags (Chesapeake Bay area or coastal area) that applies to that harvest. These reports shall be completed in full and submitted monthly to the Marine Resources Commission no later than the fifth day of the following month.
I. Failure of any person permitted to harvest, buy, or sell striped bass, to submit the required written report for any fishing day shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 1999; Volume 19, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 19, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 2003; Volume 20, Issue 10, eff. January 5, 2004; Volume 21, Issue 13, eff. February 2, 2005; Volume 23, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2007; Volume 33, Issue 6, eff. November 2, 2016; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. May 1, 2021.
4VAC20-252-135. Gill net mesh size and tending restrictions: exemptions.
A. Any registered commercial fisherman who is harvesting striped bass from the coastal area in accordance with 4VAC20-252-130 A and C and sets or fishes any gill net in the coastal area shall be prohibited from using a gill net mesh size greater than nine inches in stretched mesh.
B. Any registered commercial fisherman who is harvesting striped bass from the coastal area in accordance with 4VAC20-252-130 A and C and sets or fishes any gill net in the coastal area shall be exempt from the maximum gill net mesh size requirements during November and December as described in 4VAC20-430-65 A and B.
C. Any registered commercial fisherman who is harvesting striped bass from the coastal area in accordance with 4VAC20-252-130 A and C and sets or fishes any gill net seven inches or greater in stretched mesh in the coastal area shall be exempt from the tending requirements described in 4VAC20-430-65 E and F during the months of November and December.
D. Any registered commercial fisherman who is harvesting striped bass from the coastal area in accordance with 4VAC20-252-130 A and C shall display an optic yellow flag issued by the commission while fishing for striped bass in the coastal area and while transiting the coastal area before and after a striped bass fishing trip. This flag shall be prominently displayed on the starboard side of the vessel.
E. Any registered commercial fisherman who is harvesting striped bass from the Chesapeake Bay area in accordance with 4VAC20-252-130 A and C and sets or fishes any gill net in the Chesapeake Bay area shall be prohibited from using a gill net greater than seven inches in stretched mesh with the exception of restricted areas as defined in 4VAC20-751-20.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 2005; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 7, eff. November 14, 2005; Volume 23, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2007; Volume 26, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2009; Volume 36, Issue 4, eff. September 25, 2019; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. May 1, 2021.
4VAC20-252-140. Commercial seasons, areas, and size limits.
Except as may be adjusted pursuant to 4VAC20-252-150, the open commercial striped bass fishing seasons, areas, and applicable size limits shall be as follows:
1. In the Chesapeake Bay area, the open commercial season shall be from January 16 through December 31, inclusive. The minimum size limit shall be 18 inches total length during the periods of January 16 through December 31. The maximum size limit shall be 28 inches from March 15 through June 15.
2. In the coastal area, the open commercial season shall be January 16 through December 31, inclusive. The minimum size limit shall be 28 inches total length.
Statutory Authority
§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-204.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 1999; Volume 16, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2000; Volume 17, Issue 12, eff. January 26, 2001; Volume 19, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 29, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2013; Volume 36, Issue 9, eff. December 1, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020.
4VAC20-252-150. Individual commercial harvest quota.
A. The commercial harvest quota for the Chesapeake Bay area shall be determined annually by the Marine Resources Commission in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The total allowable level of all commercial harvest of striped bass from the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries of Virginia for all open seasons and for all legal gear shall be 983,393 pounds of whole fish. At such time as the total commercial harvest of striped bass from the Chesapeake Bay area is projected to reach 983,393 pounds and announced as such, it shall be unlawful for any person to land or possess striped bass caught for commercial purposes from the Chesapeake Bay area.
B. The commercial harvest quota for the coastal area of Virginia shall be determined annually by the Marine Resources Commission in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The total allowable level of all commercial harvest of striped bass from the coastal area for all open seasons and for all legal gear shall be 116,282 pounds of whole fish. At such time as the total commercial harvest of striped bass from the coastal area is projected to reach 116,282 pounds and announced as such, it shall be unlawful for any person to land or possess striped bass caught for commercial purposes from the coastal area.
C. For the purposes of assigning tags to a person for commercial harvests in the Chesapeake Bay area as described in 4VAC20-252-160, the individual commercial harvest quota of striped bass in pounds shall be converted to an estimate in numbers of fish per individual harvest quota based on the average weight of striped bass harvested by the permitted person during the previous fishing year. The number of striped bass tags issued to each person will equal the estimated number of fish to be landed by that individual harvest quota, plus a number of striped bass tags equal to 10% of the total allotment determined for each person.
D. For the purposes of assigning tags to a person for commercial harvests in the coastal area of Virginia as described in 4VAC20-252-160, the individual commercial harvest quota of striped bass in pounds shall be converted to a quota in numbers of fish per individual commercial harvest quota based on the reported average coastal area harvest weight of striped bass harvested by the permitted person during the previous fishing year, except as described in subsection E of this section. The number of striped bass tags issued to each person will equal the estimated number of fish to be landed by that individual harvest quota, plus a number of striped bass tags equal to 10% of the total allotment determined for each person.
E. For any person whose reported average coastal area harvest weight of striped bass in the previous fishing year was less than 12 pounds, a 12-pound minimum weight shall be used to convert that person's harvest quota of striped bass, in pounds of fish, to harvest quota in number of fish.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Volume 13, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1997; Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 22, eff. June 19, 2002; Volume 19, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 19, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 2003; Volume 20, Issue 10, eff. January 5, 2004; Volume 21, Issue 13, eff. February 2, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 15, eff. March 2, 2006; Volume 23, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2007; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008; Volume 26, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. February 1, 2011; Volume 29, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2013; Volume 30, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2014; Volume 31, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 12, eff. January 25, 2017; Volume 34, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2018; Volume 36, Issue 9, eff. December 1, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-155. Individual transferable shares monitoring and penalties.
A. Any initial overage by any person of an individual commercial harvest quota during any calendar year shall be considered a first offense, with penalties prescribed according to the severity of the overage as described in subdivisions 1 through 5 of this subsection.
1. Any overages that are less than 76 pounds shall result in a warning being issued.
2. Any overages that range from 76 to 250 pounds shall result in a one-year deduction of that overage from that individual commercial harvest quota during the following calendar year.
3. Any overages that range from 251 to 475 pounds shall result in a one-year deduction of two times that overage from that individual commercial harvest quota during the following calendar year.
4. Any overages that range from 476 to 725 pounds shall result in that overage being permanently deducted from that individual commercial harvest quota and a one-year suspension of that person from the commercial fishery for striped bass.
5. Any overages that are greater than 725 pounds shall result in the revocation of that individual striped bass permit, and that person shall not be eligible to apply for a like permit for a period of two years from the date of revocation.
B. Any second overage by any person of an individual commercial harvest quota within five years of a previous offense shall result in penalties prescribed according to the severity of the overage as described in subdivisions 1 through 4 of this subsection.
1. Any overages that are less than 76 pounds shall result in a one-year deduction of the overage from that individual commercial harvest quota during the following calendar year.
2. Any overages that range from 76 to 250 pounds shall result in a one-year deduction of two times the overage from that individual commercial harvest quota during the following calendar year.
3. Any overages that range from 251 to 475 pounds shall result in the overage being permanently deducted from the individual commercial harvest quota and a one-year suspension of that person from the commercial fishery for striped bass.
4. Any overages that are greater than 475 pounds shall result in the revocation of that individual striped bass permit, and that person shall not be eligible to apply for a like permit for a period of two years from the date of revocation.
C. Any third overage by any person of an individual commercial harvest quota within five years of two previous offenses shall result in penalties prescribed according to the severity of the overage as described in subdivisions 1 through 3 of this subsection.
1. Any overages that are less than 76 pounds shall result in a one-year deduction of two times the overage from that individual commercial harvest quota during the following calendar year.
2. Any overages that range from 76 to 250 pounds shall result in the overage being permanently deducted from that individual commercial harvest quota and a one-year suspension of the person from the commercial fishery for striped bass.
3. Any overages that are greater than 250 pounds shall result in the revocation of that individual striped bass permit, and that person shall not be eligible to apply for a like permit for a period of two years from the date of revocation.
D. Any fourth overage by any person of an individual commercial harvest quota within five years of three previous offenses shall result in penalties prescribed according to the severity of the overage as described in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection.
1. Any overages that are less than 76 pounds shall result in the overage being permanently deducted from that individual commercial harvest quota and a one-year suspension of the person from the commercial fishery for striped bass.
2. Any overages that are greater than 75 pounds shall result in the revocation of that individual striped bass permit, and that person shall not be eligible to apply for a like permit for a period of two years from the date of revocation.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2007; Volume 26, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020.
4VAC20-252-160. Individual transferable shares; tagging.
A. For each person permitted under the provisions of 4VAC20-252-130 to harvest striped bass commercially, a weight quota shall be issued to permitted fishermen in amounts equal to the percentage share of the Chesapeake Bay area and coastal area striped bass harvest quota they hold. Tags issued for Chesapeake Bay area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the Chesapeake Bay area, and tags issued for the coastal area harvest quota shall only be used for striped bass harvests in the coastal area.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in Virginia waters, according to the following provisions:
1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to set, place, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay area when in possession of coastal area striped bass tags issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags.
2. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Virginia coastal area striped bass tags in the Chesapeake Bay area or striped bass tagged with coastal area tags except when transiting the Chesapeake Bay area.
3. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess striped bass tags issued for previous years for the Chesapeake Bay area, coastal area, or any other jurisdiction.
4. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess Potomac River Fisheries Commission striped bass tags in Virginia waters, except when transiting the Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River to land in Virginia and as provided by subsection C of this section.
5. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags in Virginia waters or striped bass tagged with any non-Virginia jurisdictional striped bass tags, except as provided by subdivision 4 of this subsection and subsection C of this section.
6. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess any striped bass tags in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area except current year striped bass tags issued by the jurisdictions of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State of Maryland, or Potomac River Fisheries Commission and according to the following provisions:
1. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to possess more than one jurisdiction's tags or more than one jurisdiction's tagged striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area.
2. It shall be unlawful for any person onboard any vessel to place, set, or fish any gear that can harvest striped bass in the Great Wicomico-Tangier Striped Bass Management Area when in possession of any striped bass tags not issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
3. Any violation of this subsection shall result in the confiscation and impoundment of all striped bass tags or striped bass on the vessel.
D. Shares of the commercial striped bass quota held by any permitted fisherman may be transferred to any other person who is a licensed registered commercial fisherman; such transfer shall allow the transferee to harvest striped bass in a quantity equal to the share transferred. Any transfer of striped bass commercial shares shall be limited by the following conditions:
1. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be permanently transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds, or 100% of unused permanent shares, in any year from February 1 through October 31. Permanent transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from November 1 through January 31.
2. Shares of commercial striped bass quota shall not be temporarily transferred in any quantity less than 500 pounds from February 1 through October 31 or less than 200 pounds from November 1 through December 15. Temporary transfers of shares of commercial striped bass quota shall be prohibited from December 16 through January 31.
3. No licensed registered commercial fisherman shall hold more than 2.0% of the total annual Chesapeake Bay area commercial striped bass harvest quota or more than 11% of the total annual coastal area commercial striped bass harvest quota.
4. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized by the commission unless transferor and transferee provide up-to-date records of all commercial landings of striped bass and striped bass tag use to the commission prior to such transfer.
5. No transfer of striped bass commercial harvest quota shall be authorized unless such transfer is documented on a form provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, notarized by a lawful Notary Public, and approved by the commissioner.
E. Transfers of Chesapeake Bay area or coastal area striped bass commercial quota from one person to another may be permanent or temporary. Transferred quota from the Chesapeake Bay area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the Chesapeake Bay area, and transferred quota from the coastal area striped bass commercial quota shall only be used by the transferee for striped bass harvested from the coastal area. Permanent transfers of commercial quota shall grant to the transferee that transferred percentage of the quota for future years, and the transferor loses that same transferred percentage of the quota in future years. Temporary transfers of individual striped bass commercial harvest quota shall allow the transferee to harvest only that transferred percentage of the quota during the year in which the transfer is approved. Transferors are solely responsible for any overage of the transferred percentage of the quota by the transferee. Thereafter, any percentage of the transferred striped bass commercial quota, less any overage incurred by the transferee, reverts back to the transferor.
F. The commission will issue striped bass tags to permitted striped bass commercial fishermen as follows: those fishermen permitted only for Chesapeake Bay area or coastal area harvests of striped bass will receive their allotment of tags prior to the start of the fishing season. Any permitted fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake Bay area and coastal area tags shall receive only one type of area-specific tag allotment, of his choosing, prior to the start of the fishing season, and his other type of area-specific tags will be distributed when it has been determined from the commission's mandatory harvest reporting program that the fisherman has used all of his first allotment of tags and has not exceeded his individual harvest quota. The commissioner may authorize the distribution of the second allotment of area-specific tags to a fisherman eligible for both Chesapeake Bay area and Coastal area tags prior to that fisherman's complete use of his first allotment of tags provided that fisherman surrenders any remaining tags of his first allotment of tags.
G. Striped bass tags are valid only for use by the permittee to whom the tags were allotted. The permittee shall be on board the boat or vessel when striped bass are harvested and tags are applied. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a permitted commercial hook-and-line fisherman from using three crew members who are not registered commercial fishermen to assist in the harvest of his allotment of striped bass.
H. At the place of capture, and before leaving that place of capture, tags shall be passed through the mouth of the fish and one gill opening, and interlocking ends of the tag shall then be connected such that the tag may only be removed by breaking. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be a violation of this chapter.
I. It shall be unlawful to bring to shore any commercially caught striped bass that has not been tagged at the place of capture by the fisherman with a tamper evident, numbered tag provided by the commission. It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in a quantity greater than the number of tags in possession. If a permittee violates this section, the entire amount of untagged striped bass, as well as the number of tags equal to the amount of striped bass in his possession, shall be confiscated. Any confiscated striped bass shall be considered as a removal from that permittee's harvest quota. Any confiscated striped bass tags shall be impounded by the commission. Upon confiscation, the marine police officer shall inventory the confiscated striped bass and may redistribute the catch by one or a combination of the following methods:
1. The marine police officer shall secure a minimum of two bids for purchase of the confiscated striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated fish will be sold to the highest bidder, and all funds derived from such sale shall be deposited to the Commonwealth pending court resolution of the charge of violating the possession limits established in this chapter. All of the collected funds and confiscated tags will be returned to the accused upon a finding of innocence or forfeited to the Commonwealth upon a finding of guilt.
2. The marine police officer shall provide the confiscated striped bass to commission staff for biological sampling of the catch. Upon receipt of confiscated striped bass, commission staff will secure a minimum of two estimates of value per pound for striped bass from approved and licensed seafood buyers. The confiscated tags and the estimated value of confiscated striped bass provided for biological sampling will be reimbursed to the accused upon a finding of innocence or retained by the commission upon a finding of guilt.
J. Altering or attempting to alter any tag for the purpose of reuse shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
K. Prior to receiving any commercial season's allotment of striped bass tags, a permitted commercial harvester shall be required to have returned all unused tags from the previous commercial season to the commission within 30 days of harvesting their individual harvest quota, or by the second Thursday in January, whichever comes first. Any unused tags that cannot be turned in to the commission shall be accounted for by the harvester submitting an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the unused tags that are not able to be turned into the commission. Each person shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for any unused tags that are not turned in to the commission.
L. Any person with remaining unused striped bass commercial quota in the current year requesting additional commercial season striped bass tags shall provide up-to-date records of landings and account for all previously issued tags prior to receiving an additional allotment of tags. The harvester shall submit an affidavit to the commission that explains the disposition of the tags that are not accounted for and shall be required to pay a processing fee of $25, plus $0.13 per tag, for such tags to the commission.
M. For the commercial fishing season, one type of tag shall be distributed to Chesapeake Bay area permittees and one type of tag shall be distributed to coastal area permittees. For the Chesapeake Bay area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 18 inches or greater in total length. For the coastal area, the tag shall only be used on striped bass 28 inches or greater in total length. The possession of any improperly tagged striped bass by any permitted striped bass fisherman shall be a violation of this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 18, eff. May 1, 1999; Volume 19, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 20, Issue 10, eff. January 5, 2004; Volume 21, Issue 13, eff. February 2, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 7, eff. November 14, 2005; Volume 23, Issue 8, eff. January 1, 2007; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008; Errata, 26:9 VA.R. 1315-1316 January 4, 2009; Volume 29, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2013; Volume 31, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2015; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2018; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020.
4VAC20-252-170. Aquaculture of striped bass; permit required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a striped bass aquaculture facility without first obtaining a permit from the Marine Resources Commission (commission). This permit shall authorize and define the limits of activities concerning the purchase, possession, sale, giving, receiving, and transportation of striped bass or hybrid striped bass. Any person in violation of any permit condition issued under this section may have the permit revoked at any time upon review by the commission. If the commission revokes any person's permit for an aquaculture facility, then that person shall not be eligible to apply for a like permit for a period of two years from the date of revocation.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-180. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-190. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-200. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-210. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 18, eff. April 1, 2024.
4VAC20-252-220. 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 Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996.
4VAC20-252-230. Sanctions.
A. Any person failing to submit any report required by this chapter shall be denied any striped bass permit for the following year.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person with a pending violation of this chapter or found guilty of violating any provision of this chapter to receive or transfer striped bass commercial harvest quota as described in 4VAC20-252-160.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person with a pending violation of this chapter or found guilty of violating any provision of this chapter to receive additional tag distributions as described in 4VAC20-252-160.
D. Any person found guilty of violating any provision of this chapter may have his permit or license revoked at any time upon review by the commission as provided for in § 28.2-232 of the Code of Virginia. If the commission revokes any person's permit for an aquaculture facility, then that person shall not be eligible to apply for a like permit for a period of two years from the date of revocation.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. December 6, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008; Volume 31, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2015.
Forms (4VAC20-252)