VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION
"PROHIBITS THE SALE OF BILLFISH IN VIRGINIA"
REGULATION 4 VAC 20-350-10 ET SEQ.
This regulation prohibits the sale of billfish in Virginia.
This regulation is promulgated pursuant to authority contained in §28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia. This regulation amends and re-adopts previous Regulation 450-01-0046, which was adopted November 5, 1987 and effective November 5, 1987. The effective date of this regulation is July 1, 1995.
4 VAC 20-350-10. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the conservation of the billfish resource off of the coast of Virginia by preventing the development of a commercial fishery through a prohibition of sale of billfish. The chapter supports the objectives of federal and interstate management measures for the Atlantic billfishes. The primary intent of these management measures is to optimize use of billfish by allowing harvest for recreational purposes only. Assessments that the billfish resource will not support added fishing pressure without causing stock declines.
4 VAC 20-350-20. Definition.
The following word and term, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Billfish" means any fish of the species Istiophorus platypterus (sailfish), Tetrapturus albidus (white marlin), Makaira nigricans (blue marlin), and Tetrapturus pfluegeri (longbill spearfish).
4 VAC 20-350-30. Prohibition of sale.
It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, sell, offer for sale, possess with intent to sell, barter, or exchange billfish.
4 VAC 20-350-40. 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.