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Code of Virginia
Title 28.2. Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters
Chapter 2. General Provisions
7/1/2026

Article 6. Marking of Boats, Nets and Other Devices.

§ 28.2-233. License tags or identification generally.

The Commission shall provide metal license tags or identification numbers to licensees in a form and manner prescribed by the Commission.

Code 1950, § 28-76; 1962, c. 406, §§ 28.1-73, 28.1-74; 1966, c. 684; 1992, c. 836.

§ 28.2-234. License tags and identification numbers to be fastened; penalty.

A. License tags or identification numbers shall be attached and displayed in a manner prescribed by the Commission.

B. Any such licensee who fails to properly attach or display such a license tag or identification number is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, §§ 28-43, 28-77, 28-78, 28-175; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, §§ 28.1-48, 28.1-74, 28.1-76, 28.1-171; 1966, c. 684; 1968, cc. 748, 750, § 28.1-173.2; 1970, c. 726, § 28.1-119.1; 1972, c. 833; 1973, c. 21; 1976, c. 392; 1979, c. 274; 1980, c. 218; 1981, c. 61; 1983, c. 307; 1984, c. 316; 1988, c. 27; 1990, c. 445; 1992, c. 836; 2026, c. 409.

§ 28.2-235. Repealed.Repealed by Acts 2026, c. 409, cl. 2, effective July 1, 2026§ 28.2-236. Seizure of unmarked devices.

Any fishing device not marked, tagged or identified in the required manner may be seized by an officer and held for any forthcoming legal proceeding.

Code 1950, § 28-77; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-74; 1964, c. 393; 1966, c. 684; 1992, c. 836.

§ 28.2-237. Removal of abandoned pole or stake; revocation of licenses for failure to remove stakes.

A. Any person fishing a pound net or any other type of fishing device requiring the use of fixed poles or stakes shall remove all such abandoned poles or stakes; however, one pole or stake may be left standing at least four feet above mean high water at old stands as an identification marker.

Abandoned poles or stakes are considered to be poles or stakes which are not used for fishing.

B. The Commission may revoke any fishing licenses issued to such person, as set forth in § 28.2-232, if abandoned poles or stakes are not promptly removed. Failure to remove such poles or stakes is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The most recent licensee for the fishing device is responsible for removing the poles or stakes.

1962, c. 406, § 28.1-79; 1964, c. 393; 1992, c. 836.

§ 28.2-238. Concealing name or number of vessel; penalty.

Any captain or owner who covers or conceals the name, registration number, or fishing license tag of any boat licensed and engaged in the fisheries under this subtitle is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, §§ 28-49, 28-214; 1962, c. 406, §§ 28.1-54, 28.1-190; 1992, c. 836.

§ 28.2-239. Exemptions from article.

Nothing in this article applies to boats used purely for recreation, or for taking fish or shellfish by rod and line or with hand lines, for family use only.

Code 1950, § 28-80; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-78; 1992, c. 836.