CCA

Coastal Conservation Association Virginia

MINIMUM SIZE LIMITS AND GEAR RESTRICTIONS FOR TAUTOG

PREAMBLE

This chapter establishes minimum size limits and gear restrictions for tautog. This chapter is promulgated pursuant to the authority contained in §28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia and amends Chapter 4VAC20-960-10 et seq. which was promulgated November 23, 1998 and made effective on January 1, 1999. The effective date of this chapter, as amended, is January 1, 2008.

4VAC20-960-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to (i) reduce fishing mortality in the tautog fishery to assure that overfishing does not occur and (ii) increase the spawning stock biomass.

4VAC20-960-20. Definitions.

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

"Tautog" means any fish of the species Tautoga onitis.

4VAC20-960-30. Minimum size limits.

A. The minimum size limit of tautog shall be 14 inches total length.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any tautog less than 14 inches total length.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any tautog less than 14 inches total length.

D. Total length shall be measured in a straight line from tip of nose to tip of tail.

4VAC20-960-40. Gear restrictions.

It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set, or fish any fish pot in Virginia tidal waters for the purposes of harvesting tautog or to possess or to land in Virginia tautog harvested by fish pots which are not constructed with hinges and fasteners on one panel or door made of one of the following degradable materials:

1. Untreated hemp, jute, or cotton string of 3/16" (4.8 mm) or smaller diameter;

2. Magnesium alloy, timed float releases (pop-up devices) or similar magnesium alloy fasteners; or

3. Ungalvanized or uncoated wire of 0.094" (2.39 mm) or smaller diameter.

4VAC20-960-45. Recreational fishing season and possession limits.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook and line, rod and reel, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more than four tautog. When fishing is from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by four. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit. Any tautog taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.

B. Possession of any quantity of tautog which exceeds the possession limit described in subsection A of this section shall be presumed to be for commercial purposes.

C. The recreational fishing season shall be closed from May 1 through June 24.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or possess any tautog during any closed recreational fishing season.

4VAC20-960-47. Commercial fishing season and possession limits.

The commercial fishing season shall be closed from April 16 through October 2 and December 1 through December 15, and it shall be unlawful for any person to possess tautog for commercial purposes during this period.

4VAC20-960-50. 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 for any provision of this chapter committed by the same person within 12 months of a prior violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.