REGULATION: PROHIBITS THE SNAGGING OF FISH

VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION
"PROHIBITS THE SNAGGING OF FISH"
REGULATION 4 VAC 20-740-10 ET SEQ.

PREAMBLE

This chapter prohibits the snagging of fish or towing of any cobia or striped bass.

This chapter is promulgated pursuant to authority contained in §28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia. This chapter amends and readopts previous Chapter 4 VAC 20-740-10 et seq., which was adopted on March 28, 1995 and was effective on April 12, 1995. The effective date of this chapter is April 1, 2019.

4VAC20-740-10. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this chapter is to reduce snagging and towing injuries and mortalities to finfish in Virginia waters, and to preserve the public safety by prohibiting the practice of snagging fish.

4VAC20-740-15. DEFINTIONS.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

“Towing of fish” means tethering a fish, by any method, behind the vessel while the engine is running and in gear.

4VAC20-740-20. SNAGGING PROHIBITED.

It shall be unlawful for any person to take or to attempt to take any finfish by means of snagging.

4 VAC 20-740-25. TOWING OF FISH PROHIBITED.

It shall be unlawful for any person to tow any cobia or striped bass.

4VAC20-740-30. 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.

* * * * * * * *

This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of the chapter passed by the Marine Resources Commission, pursuant to authority vested in the Commission by § 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia, duly advertised according to statute, and recorded in the Commission's minute book, at meeting held in Hampton, Virginia, on March 26, 2019.

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION

BY: ______________________________
Steven G. Bowman
Commissioner

Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of March 2019.

_____________________________________
Notary Public

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