Chapter 280. Pertaining to Speckled Trout
4VAC20-280-10. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect and rebuild the spawning stocks of speckled trout , minimizing the possibility of recruitment failure, and to increase yield in their fisheries.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR450-01-0037 § 1, eff. June 1, 1986; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1992; Volume 8, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. April 14, 1995; Volume 38, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
4VAC20-280-20. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"Fishing year" means the time period from September 1 of the current calendar year through August 31 of the following calendar year.
"Snout" means the most forward projection from a fish's head that includes the upper and lower jaw.
"Speckled trout" means any fish of the species Cynoscion nebulosus.
"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 VR450-01-0037 § 2, eff. June 1, 1986; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1992; Volume 8, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. April 14, 1995; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2018; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 38, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
4VAC20-280-30. Size and possession limits.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, except that the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook-and-line gear or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day .
C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook-and-line gear or recreationally with any gear type to possess more than five speckled trout in any one day.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR450-01-0037 § 3, eff. June 1, 1986; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1992; Volume 8, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. April 14, 1995; Volume 19, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 27, Issue 16, eff. April 1, 2011; Volume 30, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2014; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. September 1, 2018; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 38, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
4VAC20-280-40. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR450-01-0037 § 4, eff. June 1, 1986; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1992; Volume 8, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. April 14, 1995; Volume 19, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 27, Issue 16, eff. April 1, 2011; Volume 30, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2014; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
4VAC20-280-50. Directed commercial landings quota and daily incidental catch limit.
A. For each fishing year the directed commercial landings quota of speckled trout shall be limited to 51,104 pounds.
B. When the commission announces that the directed commercial landings quota has been reached, it shall be unlawful for any commercial fisherman registration licensee to take, harvest, land, or possess more than the daily incidental catch limit for the remainder of the fishing year. The daily incidental catch limit shall be 50 pounds of speckled trout per licensee aboard the vessel, not to exceed 100 pounds per vessel.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR450-01-0037 § 5, eff. August 3, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2014; Volume 31, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 38, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
4VAC20-280-55. Seafood buyer reporting requirements.
Any licensed seafood buyer who purchases speckled trout shall report daily purchases in pounds using the commission's interactive voice recording system on the day of purchase from August 1 to November 30, except when the commission announces that the directed commercial landings quota has been reached for the current fishing year.
Statutory Authority
§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 17, eff. April 1, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. August 1, 2020; Volume 38, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
4VAC20-280-60. 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 VR450-01-0037 § 6, eff. June 1, 1986; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 14, eff. March 1, 1992; Volume 8, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. April 14, 1995; Volume 11, Issue 25, eff. August 3, 1995; amended, Volume 32, Issue 1, eff. September 1, 2015.