Virginia Code 28.2-315: Fishing with trawl net within three-mile limit; license fee.
A. It is unlawful to catch fish, shellfish, or marine organisms within the three-mile limit of the Virginia Atlantic shoreline with trawl nets or similar devices. However, the Commission may issue licenses to trawl within the three-mile limit from Cape Charles north to the Maryland line, except during September and October and from 36° 40′ north latitude south to the North Carolina line at any time, and from Cape Henry south to 36° 40′ north latitude between October 1 and May 1.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 28.2-315
- Commission: means the Marine Resources Commission. See Virginia Code 28.2-100
- Marine organisms: means those species other than marine finfish or marine shellfish which inhabit marine or estuarine waters. See Virginia Code 28.2-100
- to fish: means all operations involved in (i) taking or catching, (ii) using, setting or operating apparatus employed in killing, taking or catching, or (iii) transporting or preparing for market marine fish, shellfish, and marine organisms. See Virginia Code 28.2-100
B. The Commission, to protect or promote the fisheries, may close and open the area, or any part thereof, described in subsection A to trawling or restrict the manner, method, size, and season of catch.
C. The license fee to fish with a trawl net or similar device in the area described in subsection A shall be $100 or as subsequently revised by the Commission pursuant to § 28.2-201 for each boat so employed.
Code 1950, § 28-71; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-70; 1974, c. 85; 1979, c. 18, § 28.1-69.1; 1979, c. 274; 1981, c. 52; 1983, c. 307; 1992, c. 836; 2009, c. 9.