<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>85557</law_id><section_number>28.2-1105</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="28.2">Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Tidal Fisheries</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="11.1">Marine Tourism Activity Liability</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Inherent risks of a <span class="dictionary">marine tourism activity</span></span>&#x201D; means those dangers or conditions that are an integral part of a <span class="dictionary">marine tourism activity</span>, including certain hazards, such as surface and subsurface conditions; natural conditions of water; natural behaviors and dangers of varied <span class="dictionary">marine products</span>; and ordinary dangers of boats, structures, or equipment ordinarily used in commercial <span class="dictionary">fishing</span> operations. Inherent risks of marine tourism activities also includes the potential of a <span class="dictionary">participant</span> to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the <span class="dictionary">participant</span> or others, including failing to follow instructions given by the <span class="dictionary">marine tourism professional</span> or failing to exercise reasonable caution while engaging in the <span class="dictionary">marine tourism activity</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Marine products</span>&#x201D; means any <span class="dictionary">marine fish</span>, <span class="dictionary">shellfish</span>, or organism that inhabits marine or estuarine waters. Terrapin and marine mammals are considered to be <span class="dictionary">marine organisms</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Marine tourism activity</span>&#x201D; means any activity carried out by a <span class="dictionary">marine tourism professional</span> that allows members of the general public, for recreational, entertainment, or educational purposes, to view or enjoy marine activities related to the historic and contemporary culture, practice, and industry of commercial fishermen. Marine tourism activities may take place on land or water and shall include aquaculture and <span class="dictionary">fishing</span>, as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/28.2-100/">28.2-100</a>. An activity is a <span class="dictionary">marine tourism activity</span> whether or not the <span class="dictionary">participant</span> paid to participate in the activity.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Marine tourism professional</span>&#x201D; means any commercial fisherman, as defined in subsection D of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Registration of commercial fishermen required; exemption; penalty" href="/28.2-241/">28.2-241</a>, or any person supervised by a commercial fisherman who is engaged in the business of providing one or more marine tourism activities, whether or not for compensation.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Participant</span>&#x201D; means any person, other than a marine professional, who engages in marine tourism activities.</p></section></text><history>2009, c. 329.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
