HB1656: Menhaden fishing; prohibited in waters adjacent to certain localities.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1656
Offered January 12, 2011
Prefiled January 10, 2011
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 28.2-410.1, relating to prohibiting the use of purse nets to take or catch menhaden in waters adjacent to certain localities; penalty.
Patron-- Purkey
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 28.2-410.1 as follows:

§ 28.2-410.1. Menhaden fishing prohibited in waters adjacent to certain localities; penalty.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, it is unlawful for any person to take or catch menhaden with a purse net in the waters abutting the shorelines of the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach extending seaward one mile from the mean low water mark.

Any person violating any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.