1. A. It shall be unlawful for any person harvesting tilefish when commercial fishing, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, to do any of the following:

   1. 1. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia waters any amount of tilefish species in excess of 500 pounds whole weight or 455 pounds gutted weight, except as described in subdivision 2 of this subsection.
   2. 2. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia waters any amount of blueline tilefish in excess of 300 pounds whole weight or 273 pounds gutted weight.
   3. 3. Possess aboard any vessel any amount of golden tilefish during any in-season closure announced by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
2. B. It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land in Virginia more than 175 pounds of grouper, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, per day when commercial fishing.
3. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer at sea to another person or vessel any harvest of tilefish or grouper.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 19, eff. May 1, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 12, eff. February 1, 2012; Volume 28, Issue 19, eff. May 1, 2012; Volume 34, Issue 19, eff. May 1, 2018.